WAXESWAXES

Presented by Yogesh kumarM.Sc (Bioinformatics)c.c.s.university.Meerut

DefinitionDefinition

To my knowledge, there is no satisfactory To my knowledge, there is no satisfactory definition of the word "definition of the word "waxwax" in chemical " in chemical terms. terms.

It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "weax" for beeswax, so a practical "weax" for beeswax, so a practical definition of a wax may therefore be "definition of a wax may therefore be "a a substance similar in composition and substance similar in composition and physical properties to beeswaxphysical properties to beeswax". ".

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Biochemists link waxes with the thin layer of fatty Biochemists link waxes with the thin layer of fatty constituents that cover the leaves of plants or constituents that cover the leaves of plants or provide a surface coating for insects or the skin of provide a surface coating for insects or the skin of animalsanimals

. All of these tend to contain wax esters as major . All of these tend to contain wax esters as major components, components, i.ei.e. esters of long-chain fatty alcohols . esters of long-chain fatty alcohols with long-chain fatty acids.with long-chain fatty acids.

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Type of WaxesType of Waxes

BeeswaxBeeswax JojobaJojoba CarnaubaCarnauba Wool wax (lanolin)Wool wax (lanolin)

Other WaxesOther WaxesInsect waxesInsect waxes Marine waxesMarine waxes Bird waxes.Bird waxes. Microbial waxesMicrobial waxes

STRUCTURAL FORMULASTRUCTURAL FORMULA

SpermacetiSpermaceti

CH3(CH2)14CO2-(CH2)15CH3CH3(CH2)14CO2-(CH2)15CH3

BeeswaxBeeswax

CH3(CH2)24CO2-(CH2)29CH3CH3(CH2)24CO2-(CH2)29CH3

carnuba waxcarnuba wax

CH3(CH2)30CO2-(CH2)33CH3CH3(CH2)30CO2-(CH2)33CH3

Beeswax-Beeswax-

-Glands under the abdomen -Glands under the abdomen of bees secrete a wax, which of bees secrete a wax, which they use to construct the they use to construct the honeycomb honeycomb It contains a high It contains a high proportion of wax esters (35 proportion of wax esters (35 to 80%)to 80%)

The wax esters consist of C40 The wax esters consist of C40 to C46 molecular species to C46 molecular species

JojobaJojoba

The jojoba plant which grows in the semi-The jojoba plant which grows in the semi-arid regions of Mexico and the U.S.A., is arid regions of Mexico and the U.S.A., is unique in producing wax esters rather than unique in producing wax esters rather than triacylglycerolstriacylglycerols in its seeds, and it has in its seeds, and it has become a significant cropbecome a significant crop

It contains C38 to C44 esters with one It contains C38 to C44 esters with one double bond in each alkyl moiety double bond in each alkyl moiety

CarnaubaCarnauba

The leaves of the carnauba palm that The leaves of the carnauba palm that grows in Brazil, have a thick coating of grows in Brazil, have a thick coating of wax, which can be harvested from the wax, which can be harvested from the dried leaves. dried leaves.

It contains mainly wax esters (85%)It contains mainly wax esters (85%)

The wax esters constitute C16 to C20 fatty The wax esters constitute C16 to C20 fatty acids linked to C30 to C34 alcohols, giving acids linked to C30 to C34 alcohols, giving C46 to C54 molecular species C46 to C54 molecular species

Wool wax (lanolin)Wool wax (lanolin)

- The grease obtained from the wool of sheep - The grease obtained from the wool of sheep during the cleaning or refining process is rich in during the cleaning or refining process is rich in wax esters sterol esters, triterpene alcohols, and wax esters sterol esters, triterpene alcohols, and free acids and sterols free acids and sterols

contain up to 50% wax esters and 33% sterol contain up to 50% wax esters and 33% sterol esters.esters.

Plant Surface WaxesPlant Surface Waxes

Plant leaf surfaces are coated with a thin layer of Plant leaf surfaces are coated with a thin layer of waxy material that has a myriad of functions waxy material that has a myriad of functions

This layer is microcrystalline in structure and This layer is microcrystalline in structure and forms the outer boundary of the cuticular forms the outer boundary of the cuticular membran membran

it is the interface between the plant and the it is the interface between the plant and the atmosphere atmosphere

It serves many purposes, for example to limit the It serves many purposes, for example to limit the diffusion of water and solutes,diffusion of water and solutes,

Skin LipidsSkin Lipids

In most animals, the main wax production In most animals, the main wax production is associated with the sebaceous glands of is associated with the sebaceous glands of the skin. the skin. Most of these glands are associated with Most of these glands are associated with hair follicles, but there are also related hair follicles, but there are also related structures on the eyelids structures on the eyelids Sebaceous glands secrete mainly non-Sebaceous glands secrete mainly non-polar lipids in the form of sebum onto the polar lipids in the form of sebum onto the skin surface skin surface

Other WaxesOther Waxes

Insect waxesInsect waxes

The surface of insects is covered by a The surface of insects is covered by a layer of wax that, amongst other functions, layer of wax that, amongst other functions, serves to restrict movement of water serves to restrict movement of water across the cuticle and prevent desiccation across the cuticle and prevent desiccation

Have (C23 to C31) Have (C23 to C31)

Marine waxes.Marine waxes.

Many marine animals from invertebrates to Many marine animals from invertebrates to whales contain appreciable amounts of waxes in whales contain appreciable amounts of waxes in the form mainly of hydrocarbons and wax esters. the form mainly of hydrocarbons and wax esters.

Waxes appear to have a variety of functions in Waxes appear to have a variety of functions in fish, from serving as an energy source to fish, from serving as an energy source to insulation,insulation,

Bird waxesBird waxes

The uropygial glands of birds secrete waxes that The uropygial glands of birds secrete waxes that consist largely of wax esters consist largely of wax esters

consisting largely of normal C16 and C18 consisting largely of normal C16 and C18 saturated compounds,saturated compounds,

Microbial waxesMicrobial waxes

Waxes are not common in prokaryotes, but the Waxes are not common in prokaryotes, but the mycobacteria produce waxes, termed mycobacteria produce waxes, termed 'mycoserosates', based on branched-chain alcohols 'mycoserosates', based on branched-chain alcohols or 'phthiocerols'. or 'phthiocerols'.

These are C34 or C36 branched-chain compounds These are C34 or C36 branched-chain compounds with hydroxyl groups in positions 9 and 11, or 11 with hydroxyl groups in positions 9 and 11, or 11 and 13 and 13