Waxes

David S. Seigler Department of Plant Biology

University of IllinoisUrbana, Illinois 61801 USA

seigler@life.illinois.eduhttp://www.life.illinois.edu/seigler

Waxes - Outline

ImportanceBotanicalo Several families

EconomicsChemistryIsolation

Reading

• CHAPTER 9 IN THE TEXT

Introduction

• Waxes are usually found on the outside of plants.

• They play a minor role in the economy.

• Some synthetic substances are available, but they are not as good quality as the plant-derived waxes.

Carnauba wax

• Among all waxes, carnauba wax, mostly imported from Brazil, is the most important.

• The wax occurs on the surface of the leaves of Copernicia cerifera (Arecaceae).

• The wax is obtained by collecting the new or immature leaves of the palm and allowing them to dry. The wax can then be removed by beating.

• Used primarily in car polishes and shoe polish.

A Copernicia species from Cuba

Carnauba palms in Argentina

Libro del Arbol, Celulosa Argentina,

Vol. 2, 1975

Candelilla wax

• Candelilla wax often substituted for carnauba wax. From Euphorbia antisyphyllitica (Euphorbiaceae), a plant native to the Chihuahuan desert in Mexico and southern Texas.

• The plant is wild harvested and in some danger of being extincted by collectors.

• It is illegal to wild harvest candellila in Texas.

Candelilla, Euphorbia antisyphyllitica (Euphorbiaceae)

Candelilla collection in

Coahuila, MexicoCourtesy Dr. Beryl Simpson

Supplies of candelilla and

the campCourtesy Dr. Beryl Simpson

Courtesy Dr. Beryl Simpson

Courtesy Dr. Beryl Simpson

Candelilla wax ready for shipment

Courtesy Dr. Beryl Simpson

Jojoba, Simmondia chinensis, Simmondsiaceae

• Jojoba wax comes from the seed of Simmondsia chinensis, Simmondsiaceae, of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.

• The seeds contain a liquid wax that has many desirable properties.

• Jojoba can be cultivated on lands that are unsuitable for cultivation of most other crops.

• The wax has been used as a lubricant and is extremely good for this purpose.

• Jojoba oil is widely used in cosmetics.

Jojoba, Simmondia chinensis, Simmondsiaceae

Female and male flowers of jojoba

Courtesy Dr. David Young

Jojoba fruit

• New acreage of jojoba has come into production and the price has decreased from former times.

Sugar cane wax

• Sugar cane wax is a by-product of the sugar industry.

• This wax is not as good as carnauba wax, but is available and used for many of the same purposes.

Courtesy Dr. Lowell Urbatsch

Bayberry wax (Myrica pennsylvanica,

Myricaceae)

• Bayberry is from low wet areas in the eastern U.S.

• In New England the fruits were collected and the wax melted off to make candles.

• Bayberry candles are still used because of the nice odor they produce.

Bayberry, Myrica cerifera, Myricaceae