Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Organic Chemistry / What is the Difference Between Candelilla Wax and Carnauba Wax

What is the Difference Between Candelilla Wax and Carnauba Wax

August 16, 2022 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between Candelilla wax and Carnauba wax is that Candelilla wax has a high carbon content, whereas carnauba wax contains a low carbon content.

Candelilla and carnauba are two types of natural waxes that have plant origins. Both have important properties that make them useful in different industries.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Candelilla Wax
3. What is Carnauba Wax
4. Candelilla Wax vs Carnauba Wax in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Candelilla Wax vs Carnauba Wax 

What is Candelilla Wax?

Candelilla wax is a wax derived from the leaves of the small candelilla shrub that is native to northern Mexico and the Southwestern US, Euphorbia cerifera and Euphorbia antisyphilitica that come from the Euphorbiaceae. This wax can be described as a hard, brittle, yellowish-brown, aromatic, and opaque to translucent material.

The chemical formula for this waxy material can be given as C31H64. The molar mass of Candelilla wax is 436.84 g/mol. Its melting point is in the range of 68.5 – 72.5 degrees Celsius. However, its boiling point is higher than 240 degrees Celsius. It is insoluble in water. However, it is soluble in ethanol, benzene, and petroleum ether. The flash point of this compound can be given as 313.1 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the lethal dose of Candelilla wax is >5000 mg/kg for rats via oral administration.

Candelilla Wax and Carnauba Wax - Side by Side Comparison

This material has a high content of hydrocarbons, which is around 50% of the total material content, and these hydrocarbons usually have chains with 29-33 carbons. This wax has esters with a high molecular weight, free acids, and some resin compounds such as triterpenoid esters.

We can obtain the Candelilla wax by boiling the leaves and stems of the shrub with dilute sulfuric acid. This results in “cerote,” which is then skimmed from the surface and it is further processed. Manufacturers produce about 900 tons of this wax in this method annually.

There are many uses of Candelilla wax, including its use as a food additive and use as a glazing agent. It is used in the cosmetic industry as a component in lip balms and lotion bars. Another major use is as a binder for chewing gums. Furthermore, we can use it as a substitute for Carnauba wax and beeswax.

What is Carnauba Wax?

Carnauba wax is a type of natural wax that consists of fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, acids, and hydrocarbons. This wax is obtained from palm plants known as Copernicia prunifera, which are grown mainly in Brazil. We can obtain the wax by beating the wax off the dried palm fronds, followed by the refining of this extract. Typically, pure carnauba wax is yellow in color.

Generally, carnauba wax consists of about 80-85% fatty acid esters. Around 20% of the wax is esterified fatty diols. 10% of the wax is methoxylated or hydroxylated cinnamic acid. Moreover, about 6% of the wax contains hydroxylated fatty acids.

Candelilla Wax vs Carnauba Wax in Tabular Form

More importantly, this wax is harder than concrete and insoluble in water and ethanol. Moreover, it has a very high melting point. However, carnauba wax is non-toxic and hypoallergenic. We can polish this wax to a high gloss.

The applications of carnauba wax include use in food, cosmetics, automobile, and furniture wax, as molds for semiconductor devices, as coatings for dental flosses, etc. In other words, hypoallergenic properties and high gloss make it important as a thickener in cosmetics, including lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, foundation, deodorant, etc.

However, carnauba wax itself is brittle; therefore, it is often used in combination with other waxes such as beeswax. Therefore, we can use carnauba wax to treat and waterproof leather products. In addition, it gives these products a high gloss finish and increases the hardness of leather and durability.

What is the Difference Between Candelilla Wax and Carnauba Wax?

Candelilla wax and carnauba wax are important materials in different industries. The key difference between Candelilla wax and Carnauba wax is that Candelilla wax has a high carbon content, whereas carnauba wax contains a low carbon content. Typically, the content of hydrocarbons in Candelilla wax is about 50%, while carnauba wax has only about 3% hydrocarbons.

The below infographic presents the differences between Candelilla wax and Carnauba wax in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Candelilla Wax vs Carnauba Wax

Candelilla wax is a wax derived from the leaves of the small candelilla, while carnauba wax is a type of natural wax that consists of fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, acids, and hydrocarbons. The key difference between Candelilla wax and Carnauba wax is that Candelilla wax has a high carbon content, whereas carnauba wax contains a low carbon content.

Reference:

1. “Candelilla Wax.” Chemsrc.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cera candelilla1” By Maša Sinreih in Valentina Vivod – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cera carnauba scaglie” By Gixie – Antiquariatoerestauro  (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

What is SucraloseDifference Between Saccharin and Sucralose Free Radical Substitution vs Free Radical AdditionDifference Between Free Radical Substitution and Free Radical Addition Phthalic Acid vs Terephthalic Acid in Tabular FormWhat is the Difference Between Phthalic Acid and Terephthalic Acid L Carnitine vs Acetyl L Carnitine in Tabular FormWhat is the Difference Between L Carnitine and Acetyl L Carnitine Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide -Side by Side ComparisonWhat is the Difference Between Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide

Filed Under: Organic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Shrooms and Acid

Difference Between Carbon Steel and Mild Steel

Difference Between Cetyl Alcohol and Cetearyl Alcohol

Difference Between Cetyl Alcohol and Cetearyl Alcohol

What is the Difference Between 16s and 18s rRNA

What is the Difference Between 16s and 18s rRNA

Difference Between SIR and SEIR Model

Difference Between SIR and SEIR Model

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil
  • What is the Difference Between Wintrobe and Westergren Tube
  • What is the Difference Between Coarctation and Hypoplastic Aortic Arch
  • What is the Difference Between Acquired Brain Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • What is the Difference Between Sensory and Cerebellar Ataxia
  • What is the Difference Between Corneal Ulcer and Corneal Opacity
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.