Candelilla wax is a wax derived from the leaves of a small shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, Euphorbia cerifera and Euphorbia antisyphilitica, from the family Euphorbiaceae. It is yellowish-brown, hard, brittle and opaque to translucent. Wax has traditionally referred to a substance that is secreted by bees (beeswax) and used by them in constructing their honeycombs. ... Genera See text Ref: Euphorbiaceae in The Families of Flowering Plants, as of 2002-07-13 The Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) is a large family of flowering plants with 280 genera and around 6000 species. ...

Candelilla wax consists of mainly hydrocarbons (about 50%, chains with 29-33 carbons), esters of higher molecular weight (20-29%), free acids (7-9%), and resins (12-14%, mainly triterpenoid esters). It is insoluble in water, but soluble in many organic solvents (acetone, chloroform, benzene). In chemistry, a hydrocarbon is any chemical compound that consists only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). ... In and biochemistry, esters are organic compounds in which an organic group (symbolised by R in this article) replaces a hydrogen atom (or more than one) in an oxygen acid. ... Insect trapped in resin. ... Terpenes are a class of hydrocarbons, produced by many plants, particularly conifers. ... A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution. ... In chemistry, acetone (also known as propanone, dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone, propan-2-one and beta-ketopropane) is the simplest representative of the ketones. ... PEL-TWA (OSHA) 50 ppm (240 mg/m3) IDLH (NIOSH) 500 ppm Flash point non-flammable RTECS number FS9100000 Supplementary data page Structure & properties n, εr, etc. ... Benzene, also known as C6H6, PhH, and benzol, is an organic chemical compound which is a colorless and flammable liquid with a pleasant, sweet smell. ...

The wax is obtained by boiling the leaves and stems with diluted sulfuric acid and skimmed from the surface and further processed. Its melting point is 67-79 °C. It is mostly used mixed with other waxes to harden them without raising their melting point. Sulfuric acid (British English: sulphuric acid), H2SO4, is a strong mineral acid. ...

As a food additive, candelilla wax has the E number E902 and is used as a glazing agent. It also finds use in cosmetic industry, as a component of lip balms and lotion bars. One of its major uses was a binder for chewing gums. Food additives are substances added to food to preserve it or improve its flavor and appearance. ... For the mathematical constant see: E (mathematical constant). ... Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appeareance or protective coating to foods. ... Cosmetic refers to beauty or appearance, especially concerning the human body. ... Lip balm is a substance topically applied to the lips of the mouth to relieve chapped or dry lips and cold sores. ... A binder is a material used to bind together two or more other materials in mixtures. ... Chewing gum Chewing gum is a type of confectionery which is designed to be chewed, not swallowed. ...

Candelilla wax can be used as a substitute for carnauba wax and beeswax. It is also used for making varnish. Carnauba is a wax derived from the leaves of a plant native to northeastern Brazil, the Carnauba Palm (Copernica prunifera). ... Beeswax is a product from a bee hive. ... Varnish is a finish applied to wood or other surfaces in order to provide a clear, hard, durable, protective finish. ...

See also

• Candelilla wax (WHO food additives series 30)