Carnauba wax (Copernicia prunifera)
Carnauba wax is a high–melting vegetable wax obtained from the surface of the leaves of Copernicia prunifera, a palm native to certain regions of Brazil (particularly the Northeast). Mature leaves are harvested, dried and subjected to beating or rubbing to detach the thin waxy layer, which is then separated, purified and sometimes decoloured and refined, depending on the intended use. The commercial product is available in flakes, granules or blocks, with a colour ranging from light yellow to yellow–brown.
From a chemical standpoint, carnauba wax consists largely of wax esters of long–chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols, along with free fatty acids, alcohols, high–molecular–weight hydrocarbons and a proportion of unsaponifiable matter. It is characterised by a higher melting point than many other natural waxes, marked hardness, and good mechanical and thermal resistance, which provide effective glossing, film–forming and structuring properties in numerous formulations. These features make it suitable for improving texture, stability and surface appearance in solid and semi–solid systems.
In food technology, carnauba wax is used as a coating and glazing agent for confectionery products, fresh fruit, dragées, chewing gum and other foods, in accordance with the limits and conditions of use established by food regulations. In the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields, it is employed as a structuring agent in sticks, ointments, anhydrous creams, lipsticks and certain solid dosage forms or tablet coatings, where it helps to modulate hardness, melting point and gloss of the finished product. The quality of carnauba wax is assessed on the basis of parameters such as colour, melting point, acidity, saponification value, purity and absence of contaminants, which are essential to ensure its suitability for the different industrial applications.
Industrial Production Process
- Leaf Collection. Leaves from the Copernicia Cerifera palm, native to Brazil, are collected during the dry season. The wax forms on the surface of the leaves as protection against evaporation.
- Wax Extraction. The collected leaves are then sun-dried. Once dry, they are beaten or shaken to remove the wax. This process can be done manually or with machinery.
- Purification. The crude wax collected is purified to remove impurities such as leaf residues and debris. Purification may include melting the wax in hot water and subsequent filtration to separate the wax from impurities.
- Refining. After purification, the wax can be further refined through processes such as treatment with activated carbon or bleaching with peroxide to improve its color and purity.
- Forming. The purified and refined wax is then cooled and solidified. It can be formed into various shapes, such as flakes, granules, or blocks, depending on market needs.
- Quality Control. Throughout the production process, quality control checks are performed to ensure that the Copernicia Cerifera wax meets the required standards in terms of purity, color, and physical properties.
It is a wax widely used in various industries due to its higher melting point and characteristic hardness compared to other waxes.
What it is used for and where
Food
Ingredient listed in the European food additives list as E903 as a coating agent.
In the food industry it is widely used for its chemical composition that contains stable and inert components, as well as a significant amount of esters.
For its characteristics it is suitable for the preparation of biodegradable and hydrophobic edible films.
It is used to give a glossy appearance, to delay the loss of moisture in the fruit (1).
Another application in the food sector is the duration of food storage and the extension of their storage (2).
Medicine
Carnauba wax has proven to be a promising excipient in the preparation of tablets for prolonged drug release (3).
Cosmetics
Film-forming agent. It produces a continuous ultra-thin film with an optimal balance of cohesion, adhesion and stickiness on the skin or hair to counteract or limit damage from external phenomena such as chemicals, UV rays and pollution.
Skin conditioning agent. An ingredient that is the mainstay of topical skin treatment by restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants.
Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.
It is the hardest wax used in cosmetics.
CAS 8015-86-9
EC number 232-399-4
Commercial Applications
Automotive industry. Carnauba wax is used as a key component in many car waxes, where it provides a glossy and protective finish on the vehicle's paint. Its ability to withstand heat and moisture makes it ideal for this application.
Shoe care products. Thanks to its polishing and waterproofing properties, carnauba wax is commonly used in shoe creams and waxes, helping to protect the leather and keep it shiny.
Pharmaceuticals. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used to coat tablets and pills, improving their appearance and making them easier to swallow.
Candles. Carnauba wax is sometimes mixed with other waxes to produce candles. It adds hardness and glossiness to candles, improving their quality.
Safety
Despite its wide range of applications, carnauba wax is considered safe and non-toxic for both external and internal use. It is biodegradable, renewable, and sustainable, making it a popular choice among environmentally conscious consumers and producers.
Cera carnauba studies
References___________________________________________________
(1) Quality and microbial safety of ‘Fuji’ apples coated with carnauba-shellac wax containing lemongrass oil. Jo WS, Song HY, Song NB, Lee JH, Min SC, Song KB. LWT-Food Sci. Technol. 2014;55:490–497. doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2013.10.034
Abstract. A carnauba-shellac wax (CSW)-based nanoemulsion containing lemongrass oil (LO) was prepared using high pressure homogenization. 'Fuji' apples were coated with the CSW/LO nanoemulsion and the coated apple samples were compared with uncoated apple samples with respect to quality and microbial safety for 5 months. During storage, the hardness of the uncoated apples decreased by 3.3 N, and the weight loss was 7.7%. In contrast, the hardness of the coated apples did not change, and the weight loss was 5.2%. Titratable acidity and total soluble solids were not significantly different between coated and uncoated apples. The apples coated with the CSW/LO solution had the best sensory appreciations. After 5 months of storage, the population of total aerobic bacteria on the coated apples was decreased by 1.4 log CFU/g compared with the uncoated apples. In addition, the population of yeast and molds on the uncoated apples was 2.2 log CFU/g after 5 months of storage, whereas yeast and molds were not detected on the coated apples. The CSW/LO coating can improve the quality of 'Fuji' apples during storage.
(2) Effect of Carnauba Wax-Based Coating Containing Glycerol Monolaurate on Decay and Quality of Sweet Potato Roots during Storage. Yang H, Li X, Lu G. J Food Prot. 2018 Oct;81(10):1643-1650. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-18-017.
Abstract. Because of high water loss and rot observed in postharvest sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) roots, a carnauba wax (CW)-based nanoemulsion without or with glycerol monolaurate (CW-GML) was developed by a high-energy emulsification approach. The effects of the two coatings on decay, respiration rate, weight loss, surface color, total soluble sugar, and starch content as well as the sensory quality of sweet potato roots were investigated during storage at 20°C for 50 days. Compared with the control treatment (water) and CW coating alone, CW-GML coating exhibited higher emulsion stability and antifungal activity, and treatment resulted in a uniform and continuous coating on roots. The CW-GML and CW coatings both effectively reduced root weight loss and respiration rate and inhibited decay incidence compared with control roots during storage. The CW-GML coating showed markedly stronger inhibition of root rot than the CW coating. Both the CW-GML and CW coatings promoted an increase in root sweetness but did not negatively impact perceived flavor. The overall results demonstrate that the CW-GML coating holds great promise as an effective postharvest technology to preserve food quality and extend shelf life of sweet potato roots.
(3) Carnauba wax as a promising excipient in melt granulation targeting the preparation of mini-tablets for sustained release of highly soluble drugs. Nart V, Beringhs AO, França MT, de Espíndola B, Pezzini BR, Stulzer HK. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2017 Jan 1;70(Pt 1):250-257. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2016.07.070.
Carnauba wax 
