Beeswax is a natural wax produced by the genus Apis honey bees. It's a complex substance with several interesting properties that make it useful for various purposes. Here's a breakdown of beeswax:
Origin: Honeybees have eight wax-producing glands in their abdomen. They secrete wax flakes to construct the honeycomb, the intricate structure within the hive that stores honey and houses developing bees.
Composition: Chemically, beeswax is a mixture of long-chain alcohols and fatty acids, mainly in the form of esters. It also contains trace amounts of other compounds like hydrocarbons and free fatty acids.
Properties: Beeswax is a fragrant solid at room temperature. It typically ranges in color from light yellow to dark brown, with white beeswax being a bleached or filtered version. Beeswax is known for being:
- Moldable: When warmed, beeswax becomes pliable and can be easily shaped. This property makes it ideal for constructing honeycombs and creating various products.
- Water-repellent: Beeswax forms a barrier against moisture, which helps protect honey from spoilage and the hive from the elements.
- Relatively low melting point: Beeswax melts around 62-64°C (144-147°F), making it easy to work with for various applications.
Sustainable beekeeping practices: Sustainable beekeeping practices that focus on the hive's health and the environment are crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of beeswax production. These practices include using natural hive materials, avoiding pesticides, and allowing bees to forage freely.
Applications: Beeswax[1] is used in various food preservation methods:
- Coating: Cheese rinds are sometimes coated with beeswax to prevent them from drying out and cracking. Beeswax is also used as an edible coating on strawberries and apricot fruits. This coating positively affected moisture loss, appearance, texture, and firmness. It was found that the coating of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose–beeswax containing sodium benzoate (2%)—showed a decreased rate of change in weight or moisture loss, firmness, and respiration (Cristiane et al., 2015).
- Food additive: Beeswax is listed as food additive E901. In small amounts, it's used as a glazing agent on some fruits or as a coating for soft gels and tablets.
- Beeswax wraps are reusable cloths infused with beeswax, resin, and oils. They can be used to wrap sandwiches, cheese, fruits, and vegetables, creating a natural and sustainable alternative to plastic wrap.
It's important to note that while beeswax offers some preservation benefits, research on its effectiveness compared to traditional methods is mixed [scholarworks.umt.edu]. For some foods, there might be better choices. However, there are also some considerations to keep in mind:
Demand: The demand for beeswax can impact its sustainability. If beeswax is harvested unsustainably, it could put pressure on bee populations.
Bee health: Bee populations' health is essential for the sustainability of beeswax production. Factors like habitat loss, pesticides, and disease can all threaten bee health.
Overall, beeswax can be a sustainable resource if managed responsibly. By supporting sustainable beekeeping practices and choosing products made with responsibly sourced beeswax, you can help ensure the future of this valuable resource.
References
- https://www.shomaadesigns.com/beeswax-a-natural-wax-used-in-8-products/
- https://office2.jmbfs.org/index.php/JMBFS/article/view/8654
- https://www.shomaadesigns.com/circular-economy-our-responsibility/
- https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jclepro.2018.02.030
- https://www.ozharvest.org/food-waste-facts/
- https://www.shomaadesigns.com/
- https://en.whttps://www.stopfoodlosswaste.org
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M13_bacteriophage
- https://www.stopfoodlosswaste.org/
