CARNAUBA WAX
Prepared at the 51st JECFA (1998), published in FNP 52 Add 6 (1998) superseding specifications prepared at the 44th JECFA (1995), published in
FNP 52 Add 3 (1995). ADI 0-7 mg/kg bw, established at the 39th JECFA in 1992.
SYNONYMS INS No. 903
DEFINITION The refined wax obtained from the fronds of the Brazilian tropical palm tree Copernicia cerifera (Arruda) Mart. [syn. C. purnifera (Muell.)]; a complex mixture of several chemical compounds, predominantly esters, e.g., - aliphatic esters (straight-chain acids with even-numbered carbon chains from C24 to C28 and straight-chain alcohols with even-numbered carbon chains from C30 to C34), - alpha-hydroxy esters (straight-chain hydroxy acids with even-numbered carbon chains from C22 to C28, straight-chain acids with even-numbered carbon chains from C24 to C28, straight-chain monohydric alcohols with evennumbered carbon chains from C24 to C34 and dihydric alcohols with evennumbered carbon chains from C24 to C34) - cinnamic aliphatic diesters (p-methoxycinnamic acid and dihydric alcohols with even-numbered carbon chains from C24 to C34)
It also contains free acids (straight-chain acids with even-numbered carbon chains from C24 to C28), free alcohols (straight-chain alcohols with evennumbered carbon chains from C30 to C34), hydrocarbons (straight-chain oddnumbered carbon chains from C27 to C31) and resins.
C.A.S. number 8015-86-9
DESCRIPTION A pale yellow to light brown, hard and brittle solid, having a clean fracture
FUNCTIONAL USES Glazing agent, bulking agent, acidity regulator, carrier
