Studies in Waxes. XVIII. Beeswax: A Spectroscopic and Gas Chromatographic Examination

Abstract

A quantitative examination has been made of the components of hydrolysed beeswax. This was achieved by separation into hydrocarbons, monohydric alcohols, " diols ",acids, and hydroxyacids. The alcohol and acid fractions were reduced to the corresponding hydrocarbon mixtures and these together with the naturally occurring hydrocarbons were examined by gas chromatography, which demonstrated their straight-chain character and gave the chain lengths and percentage composition of the components.