Abstract

NEGRI, Giuseppina; MARCUCCI, Cristina; SALATINO, Antonio  and  SALATINO, Maria Luiza F.. Comb and propolis waxes from Brazil (states of São Paulo and Paraná). J. Braz. Chem. Soc. [online]. 2000, vol.11, n.5, pp. 453-457. ISSN 0103-5053.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-50532000000500004.

Samples of propolis and comb waxes of Apis mellifera were analyzed. Monoesters predominated, followed by hydrocarbons. The constituents were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Wide variations in the patterns of hydrocarbons, acids and alcohols of the esters were found. Hydrocarbon chains cover the range C₂₃ - C₃₅, C₂₇ and C₃₁ alkanes predominating. The main carboxylic acid was C_16:0, followed by C_18:0 and C_18:1. The alcohols were predominantly saturated n-homologues, ranging from C₂₄ to C₃₂, C₃₀ being the most abundant, followed by C₂₄. No differences were found to allow a distinction, suggesting a common origin for both wax sources.

Keywords : propolis wax; beeswax; Apis mellifera.