Beeswax

Wax produced by many species of bees, containing around 10% hydrocarbons in addition to alcohols, fatty acids, and esters, with the primary component myricyl palmitate. The wax most commonly used by humans is from Apis mellifera. Beeswax is secreted by the worker bees to form honeycomb cells. The wax is prepared by melting the combs in hot water, then filtering out the resins, sugars, plant materials, and other impurities. The age, diet, location, and species of bee affects the color and texture of the wax. Beeswaxes can be soft or brittle with colors ranging from light yellow to dark brown. The darker varieties are often bleached by exposure to light and air or with chemicals. Beeswax has been used as a protective coating, in etching, for candles, adhesives, paint binder, polish, in encaustic, leather dressing, cosmetics, and to modify paint.