<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The efficiency of the gas chromatography - mass detector (GC-MS) technique for the detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin, was evaluated. For this purpose, beeswax samples with paraffin additions (3, 5, 10, 30, 50%) were analysed. Since not enough is known about paraffin compositions, and since it is difficult to detect paraffin in beeswax, the aim of our research was also to compare the hydrocarbon composition of different types of paraffin. The analysis showed that the types of paraffin available on the market, differ qualitatively and quantitatively as far as their hydrocarbon compositions are concerned. In all kinds of paraffin, we found homologous series of n-alkanes that were much longer than those in beeswax. In beeswax, the amount of added paraffin that is possible to detect, differs and depends on the kind of paraffin used for adulteration. In this study, the minimum estimated percent that was detected using the GC-MS technique, was 3%. The adulteration is indicated by the presence of hydrocarbons containing over 35 carbon atoms in the molecule, and by the higher contents of n-alkanes (C20H42 - C35H72), in comparison to the concentration of these compounds determined in pure beeswax. We also presented the results of the quality control of commercial beeswax. Based on our results, it can be stated that beeswax adulteration is currently a problem.</abstract>

The efficiency of the gas chromatography - mass detector (GC-MS) technique for the detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin, was evaluated. For this purpose, beeswax samples with paraffin additions (3, 5, 10, 30, 50%) were analysed. Since not enough is known about paraffin compositions, and since it is difficult to detect paraffin in beeswax, the aim of our research was also to compare the hydrocarbon composition of different types of paraffin. The analysis showed that the types of paraffin available on the market, differ qualitatively and quantitatively as far as their hydrocarbon compositions are concerned. In all kinds of paraffin, we found homologous series of n-alkanes that were much longer than those in beeswax. In beeswax, the amount of added paraffin that is possible to detect, differs and depends on the kind of paraffin used for adulteration. In this study, the minimum estimated percent that was detected using the GC-MS technique, was 3%. The adulteration is indicated by the presence of hydrocarbons containing over 35 carbon atoms in the molecule, and by the higher contents of n-alkanes (C20H42 - C35H72), in comparison to the concentration of these compounds determined in pure beeswax. We also presented the results of the quality control of commercial beeswax. Based on our results, it can be stated that beeswax adulteration is currently a problem.

Efficiency of GC-MS method in detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin

Research Institute of Horticulture, Apiculture Division in Puławy, Kazimierska 2, 24-100 Puławy, Poland

Journal of Apicultural Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Efficiency of GC-MS method in detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin"}

The efficiency of the gas chromatography - mass detector (GC-MS) technique for the detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin, was evaluated. For this...

Efficiency of GC-MS method in detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin

Published Online: Jun 03, 2016

Page range: 145 - 162

Received: Apr 15, 2016

Accepted: May 10, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jas-2016-0012

Keywords
adulteration, beeswax, detection, efficiency, GC-MS, paraffin

© by Ewa Waś

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Efficiency of GC-MS method in detection of beeswax adulterated with paraffin

Published Online: Jun 03, 2016

Page range: 145 - 162

Received: Apr 15, 2016

Accepted: May 10, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jas-2016-0012

Keywordsadulteration, beeswax, detection, efficiency, GC-MS, paraffin

© by Ewa Waś

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
adulteration, beeswax, detection, efficiency, GC-MS, paraffin