Only a tiny amount of the wax needs to be added to a batch of tablets (less than a hundredth of one percent by weight) prior to tumbling in the tablet-coating machine. Pharmaceutical IndustryĬarnauba wax is used as a coating agent for tablets and capsules as it is believed to assist patients to swallow them.

Confectionery IndustryĬarnauba wax is mainly used as a glazing agent for candies, but also acts as a release agent. Uses Food IndustryĬarnauba wax is used as a food-grade polish, where the shiny coating functions as a protective barrier and preservative. Carnauba wax is sometimes used as an alternative to Beeswax, particularly by vegans and other individuals who choose not to use animal-derived products.

Type 4, the lowest grade, is available in flake form. Type 1 is the highest grade and is produced from the tops of the leaves which lack chlorophyll, making it lighter in colour. It is sold in the form of an off-white powder or flakes that range in colour between yellow and brown, depending on the age of the leaves and the level of refining, and is available in grades T1, T3, and T4 (Fatty Grey), which reflect the level of purification achieved after filtration and bleaching. Carnauba wax is insoluble in water and ethyl alcohol, but dissolves when heated in ethyl acetate or xylene. Relative to other natural waxes, it is one of the hardest and has among the highest melting points at around 85 degrees Celsius. PropertiesĬarnauba wax mainly consists of esters of long-chain alcohols and acids. The leaves are cut and dried in the sun before being beaten to release the powdery wax, which is then refined by melting, straining and cooling. During the regular dry seasons in Brazil, the leaves exude the wax to conserve moisture and protect the tree against dehydration. Carnauba Wax – Brazil Wax – Palm Wax – Ceara Wax – Copernicia Cerifera Wax – Copernicia Cerifera Cera European Union Approved Food Additive: E903 – Wax – Glazing Agent Direct Food Substance Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS): 21 CFR 184.1978 Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans, Halal and Kosher CAS Number: EINECS Number: 232-399-4 SourceĬarnauba wax is obtained from the leaves of the Carnauba Palm (Copernicia prunifera or Copernicia cerifera) which grows in northeast Brazil, where it is known as the “tree of life” because of the wide variety of its uses.

Carnauba wax for wood