Hydrocarbon Composition of Beeswax (Apis Mellifera) Collected from Light and Dark Coloured Combs

Waś, Ewa; Szczesna, T.; Rybak-Chmielewska, H.

doi:10.2478/jas-2014-0026

Cited by 14 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…In the case of beeswax, the average percentage of alkanes with even numbers of carbon atoms in the molecule was c.a. 5 and 6% in beeswax obtained from light and dark coloured combs, respectively (Waś, Szczęsna, & Rybak-Chmielewska, 2014b). The higher content of even-numbered alkanes in the paraffin, was reported in our previous work (Waś, Szczęsna, & Rybak-Chmielewska, 2015) as well as by other authors (Jimenez et al, 2009;Serra Bonvehi & Ornantes Bermejo, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…Our estimated minimum percentage that can be detected with the GC-MS, is 3%. In our experiment, a 3% addition of different types of paraffin to beeswax already exceeded the maximum total content of n-alkanes (11.66 g/100 g) determined in pure beeswax (Waś, Szczęsna, & Rybak-Chmielewska, 2014b). Moreover, this 3% addition resulted in increased even-numbered alkanes and the appearance of alkanes containing over 35 atoms of carbon in the molecule.…”

mentioning

confidence: 75%

“…We also estimated the minimum percentage of paraffin that can be detected by GC-MS. Moreover, our earlier studies of the composition of beeswax hydrocarbons (Waś, Szczęsna, & Rybak-Chmielewska, 2014a, 2014b and the results presented here and previously (Waś, Szczęsna, & Rybak-Chmielewska, 2015) for different types of paraffin and beeswax-paraffin mixtures prepared in the laboratory, allowed us to establish criteria for detecting beeswax adulteration with paraffin. The addition of paraffin to beeswax resulted in the occurrence of alkanes containing over 35 atoms of carbon in the molecule, which were not detected in pure beeswax.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The maximum limits for the contents of individual compounds and for total n-alkanes were accepted based on the maximum concentrations determined in pure beeswax (Waś, Szczęsna, & Rybak-Chmielewska, 2014b). Similar criteria, but with slightly different critical values for the contents of beeswax hydrocarbons, were also accepted by other authors (Tulloch & Hoffman, 1972;Tulloch, 1973;Jimenez et al, 2004Jimenez et al, , 2007Jimenez et al, , 2009Serra Bonvehi & Ornantes Bermejo, 2012).…”

mentioning

confidence: 91%

“…One also needs to consider the content of the total as well as individual n-alkanes (in particular, even-numbered ones). Then, n-alkane contents must be compared with the maximum contents determined for pure beeswax, proposed as the concentration guide values for distinguishing between pure and adulterated beeswax (Waś, Szczęsna, & Rybak-Chmielewska, 2014b). When detecting adulteration of beeswax with paraffin, it is also necessary to pay attention to other groups of hydrocarbons (e.g.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Efficiency of GC-MS method in detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin

Waś

Szczesna

Rybak-Chmielewska

2016

Journal of Apicultural Science

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A b s t r a c tThe efficiency of the gas chromatography -mass detector (GC-MS) technique for the detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin, was evaluated. For this purpose, beeswax samples with paraffin additions (3, 5, 10, 30, 50%) were analysed. Since not enough is known about paraffin compositions, and since it is difficult to detect paraffin in beeswax, the aim of our research was also to compare the hydrocarbon composition of different types of paraffin. The analysis showed that the types of paraffin available on the market, differ qualitatively and quantitatively as far as their hydrocarbon compositions are concerned. In all kinds of paraffin, we found homologous series of n-alkanes that were much longer than those in beeswax. In beeswax, the amount of added paraffin that is possible to detect, differs and depends on the kind of paraffin used for adulteration. In this study, the minimum estimated percent that was detected using the GC-MS technique, was 3%. The adulteration is indicated by the presence of hydrocarbons containing over 35 carbon atoms in the molecule, and by the higher contents of n-alkanes (C 20 H 42 -C 35 H 72 ), in comparison to the concentration of these compounds determined in pure beeswax. We also presented the results of the quality control of commercial beeswax. Based on our results, it can be stated that beeswax adulteration is currently a problem. Keywords: adulteration, beeswax, detection, efficiency, GC-MS, paraffinResearch Institute of Horticulture, Apiculture Division in Puławy, Kazimierska 2, 24-100 Puławy, Poland INTRODUCTIONThe recent increased interest in the testing of beeswax composition and in the quality assessment of beeswax, is related to the numerous cases of beeswax adulteration. Substances such as ceresin, stearin, natural plant waxes (e.g. Candelilla wax, Carnauba wax), animal waxes and fats (e.g. lanolin, tallow), and mineral waxes (Montan, ozocerite) have been added to beeswax. It is paraffin, though, that is the product most frequently used for beeswax adulteration. Due to having a similar composition and similar physico-chemical properties, the addition of paraffin to beeswax, especially when added in small amounts, is difficult to detect (Bogdanov, 2009;Jimenez et al., 2009;Serra Bonvehi & Ornantes Bermejo, 2012;Maia, Barros, & Nunes, 2013;Svečnjak et al., 2015). The chemical composition of paraffin has not yet been sufficiently analysed. The information found in literature mostly concerned physicochemical properties (Bernal et al., 2005) or concerned the estimated data on the paraffin composition stated by the producers. From these data, it follows that the group of longstraight-chained saturated hydrocarbons (nalkanes) dominate in paraffin. The content of these hydrocarbons is estimated to be at different levels, and even at levels of up to 90%. Depending on the kind of paraffin (in particular the melting point of paraffin), and the purification level of the obtained product, the paraffin can also contain other hydrocarbons (e.g. branched, cyclic, unsa...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

mentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 91%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Efficiency of GC-MS method in detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin

Waś

Szczesna

Rybak-Chmielewska

2016

Journal of Apicultural Science

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Identification and Quantification of Single and Multi‐Adulteration of Beeswax by FTIR‐ATR Spectroscopy

Tanner

Lichtenberg-Kraag

2019

Euro J Lipid Sci & Tech

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Marketing of adulterated beeswax foundation has recently become a major economic problem for beekeepers. Paraffin contamination leads to collapse of combs, and stearic acid has a negative influence on the development of bee brood. The quality of beeswax for beekeeping has not been standardized in EU regulations. Recently, it was shown that attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) can be used to determine beeswax adulteration. Differences in the IR spectra of authentic beeswax can be identified and calculated through comparison with authentic beeswax. In this study, the method is further validated by employing a high number of samples of authentic beeswax from different origins. Low quantification and detection limits are achieved for paraffin, stearic acid, tallow, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax. Furthermore, the FTIR-ATR analytical conditions are verified by analyzing 358 samples of commercial and beekeeper-produced beeswax foundations. Multi-adulterated samples with as many as five different additives in beeswax mixtures are identified with the same accuracy as single substances. Additionally, the spectra of a further 14 different natural and synthetic waxes and hardened fats are analyzed and are compared with beeswax. Finally, a spectral library is established that can be used for further studies. Practical Applications: FTIR-ATR is a fast and cost-efficient tool in beeswax analysis for accurately monitoring a high sample volume. Analysis of 358 beeswax foundations showed an adulteration of 21.8% of the samples with paraffin, stearic acid, tallow, and combinations. Based on the results of this study, it is possible to detect beeswax adulteration of less than 3% of these adulterants and their combinations by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. This method can be used for monitoring beeswax foundations to identify adulterated materials, exclude these materials from the recycling process, and produce high-quality beeswax, which is essential for bee health.

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