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Technological use of beeswax for obtaining organic products, non-toxic for the
human being

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 Artículo de Investigación. Revista Ciencia e Ingeniería. Vol. 40, No. 1 pp. 17-26, diciembre-marzo, 2019.
ISSN 1316-7081. ISSN Elect. 2244-8780 Universidad de los Andes (ULA)

Technological use of beeswax for obtaining organic products,

non-toxic for the human being
Aprovechamiento tecnológico de la cera de abeja para la obten-
ción de productos orgánicos, no tóxicos para el ser humano
Márquez, Ronald*1; Bálsamo, Santo2; Morales, Franklin3; Ruiz, Natalia3; García, Alexis3; León, Reina3; Montes,
Ana3; Nava, Nohely3; Noguera, Yoselin3; Quintero, Amanda3; Zambrano, Jonathan3; Montoya, Miguel3; Ostos, Mi-
guel3; Rosales, Diego3; Araujo, Jesús3; Cañizales, Jesús3; Lema, Carlos3; Mascarell, Santiana3; Molina, Zinai3; Aven-
daño, Jorge3; Peña, Holaya3; Tolosa, Laura3
1
Laboratorio FIRP, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de los Andes, Mérida-Venezuela
2
Escuela Politécnica Superior de Alcoy, Universitat Politècnica de València, España
3
Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de los Andes, Mérida-Venezuela
*[email protected]

Abstract

An ointment is a semisolid preparation consisting of a single external phase in which liquid or solid substance(s) can be
dispersed. In the case of beeswax ointments, there are several studies that confirm their antibiotic and healing power over
injuries, especially in those caused by burns. Beeswax can be used also as an oil phase for the production of soaps by
saponification. Soaps that contain beeswax have many advantages: they solidify quickly, provide detergency and cleaning
properties, give a solid and pleasant texture and their aroma can be improved by adding natural essences. In this work,
dermocosmetic ointments and soaps based on beeswax and sesame oil were formulated implementing the “Reproducing an
Innovation Environment in the Classroom” (RAIS) strategy at the Chemical Engineering School at Universidad de Los
Andes. Beeswax purification procedures were applied and sesame oil - beeswax formulations were obtained. In this sense,
soaps were manufactured at the same concentrations as the ointments were formulated. Studies of pH, foamability and
formulation scans were made to determine interfacial properties of the soaps produced.

Keywords: beeswax, dermocosmetic ointment, soap, foam, formulation

Resumen

Un ungüento es una preparación semisólida que consiste en una sola fase externa como base en la que se pueden dispersar
sustancias líquidas o sólidas. En el caso de los ungüentos de cera de abejas, existen varios estudios que confirman su poder
antibiótico y curativo sobre las lesiones, especialmente en aquellas causadas por quemaduras. La cera de abejas se puede
utilizar también como una fase oleosa para la producción de jabones por saponificación. Los jabones que contienen cera
de abejas tienen muchas ventajas: se solidifican rápidamente, proporcionan propiedades de limpieza y detergencia, dan
una textura sólida y agradable y su aroma se puede mejorar agregando esencias naturales. En este trabajo, se formularon
ungüentos dermocosméticos y jabones a base de cera de abeja y aceite de sésamo, utilizando la estrategia “Reproducción
de un Ambiente de Innovación en el Salón de Clase” (RAIS) en la Escuela de Ingeniería Química de la Universidad de Los
Andes. Se aplicaron procedimientos de purificación de cera de abejas y se fabricaron formulaciones de aceite de sésamo y
cera de abeja. En este sentido, los jabones se fabricaron con las mismas concentraciones con las que se formularon los un -
güentos. Se realizaron estudios de pH, espumabilidad y barridos de formulación para determinar las propiedades interfa -
ciales de los jabones producidos.

Palabras Clave: cera de abeja, ungüento dermocosmético, jabón, espuma, formulación

Revista Ciencia e Ingeniería. Vol. 40 No. 1, diciembre-marzo, 2019

18 Márquez y col.

1 Introduction Engineering School, Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela.

The twenty (20) students’ laboratory class engaged in a
The value of a dermocosmetic product is determined project-base learning strategy called RAIS “Reproduction
not only by how well it fulfills the support or care for the of an Innovation Environment in the Classroom” which has
symptoms of skin condition it was intended for, but also by been applied for the author in similar learning contexts and
the sensory experience that it gives a consumer as it is is published elsewhere (Marquez y col., 2016, Marquez y
applied. That sensory experience depends mainly on the col., 2017, Tolosa y col., 2018). RAIS is a strategy based on
nature, quantity and quality of the components it is made of. learning by doing education theory, which was framed in an
Usually, the functional ingredients - those inactive entrepreneurship environment. In this case, students are
ingredients that are used as a vehicle and determines the allowed to design, formulate and produce the ointment and
texture and appearance of the product, e.g. cream, ointment, soap products that comply with both the learning objectives
lotion, or gel - contains water and oil, which could be of the course and their own need or interest.
natural, synthetic/mineral or a mix. The most commonly
used natural oils are vegetable oils from fruits, nuts and 2 Literature review
seeds, but also natural waxes can be found in the
formulation, less frequently. 2.1 Beeswax
Beeswax is one of these natural waxes that have been
used as a support ingredient in cosmetic and pharmaceutical The term "wax" refers to mixtures of different
formulation. Although it has well known healing properties, compounds such as: esters, long-chain hydrocarbons,
it still remains as a secondary and poorly valued product, ketones, among others, which form materials with high
particularly, in South American countries apiarian melting points and great water resistance. There are waxes
production. In Venezuela, the apiarian activity can be traced of animal, vegetable and microorganism origin (Flaherty
back to the use of stingless bees in pre-Columbian times. 1971).
Then, with the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, Beeswax is a fat produced by bees to build their
honey bees (Apis mellifera iberian and A. m. mellifera) honeycombs. The bees secrete the wax in the form of small
were introduced, which were joined afterwards by others rounded scales in the four ventral glands that are in the
breeds such as A. m. ligustica and A. m. scutellata. Along lower part of the abdomen, and it is synthesized as a
the years, honey has been the main product from the reduction of sugars of food origin. The phases of the
apiarian farmers, being beeswax a secondary product, beeswax making process are: bees eat honey and sugars (6
mainly used for the regular renewal procedure of the hives. carbons molecules) are absorbed in the intestine. From
Nowadays, the cosmetic and pharmaceutical use of beeswax there, they pass to the interior of their body, where they are
is found at the level of small laboratories and small transformed into small fragments (2 carbons). Then, in the
businesses. wax glands, they recombine differently to form, on the one
In order to contribute to a scientific knowledge of the hand, the fatty acids and hydrocarbons (between 18 and 36
use of natural beeswax in dermocosmetic products, we carbons), and on the other, the wax esters and alcohols
studied the preparation of both an ointment base and a soap (between 24 and 33 carbons). The mixture of these products
with beeswax and sesame oil as oily components. The is what is known as beeswax (Tulloch 1970, 1980,
investigation examines the different physical characteristics Blomquist y col., 1980, Bogdanov 2004).
of the ointment base obtained, from mixes of beeswax and
sesame oil, and the different dermocosmetic products that 2.2 Uses and applications
can be prepared from those bases. It is also studied the
incorporation of beeswax in a soap formulation, and the Beeswax has played an important role in history and
surfactant characteristic parameter for a soap containing popular tradition for many years. Historically, beeswax has
beeswax is reported for the first time. Sesame oil is a liquid been used for candles manufacture; it also was used in letter
oil while beeswax is a solid fat, so the mix of this two envelopes seals, sculpture making, and to seal coffins,
different oily components results in new final physical among other applications. Currently, due to beeswax
characteristics. The addition of different amounts of characteristics, properties and benefits, it is used in both
beeswax can produce a broad range of texture and handcrafted and industrial products (Ahnert 2015).
appearance changes in the ointment base, which allows to Industry uses beeswax as an insulating and
obtain dermocosmetic products with different uses and hydrophobic component of numerous products. For
applications. On the other hand, the incorporation of example, it is used in electrical cables to isolate copper from
beeswax in a sesame oil soap formulation allows to take moisture, electronic circuits, to protect leather, in the
advantage of the beneficial properties of the beeswax. preparation of varnishes, inks, matches and protective
This investigation was carried out by the students of waxes for cuttings (Kester y col., 1989, Hepburn 2012).
the Industrial Chemistry Laboratory course at the Chemical Beeswax goes into the composition of ointments and
Revista Ciencia e Ingeniería. Vol. 40 No. 1, diciembre-marzo, 2019
Technological use of beeswax for obtaining organic products… 19

creams, as a fat base and as a thickener. The major use in According to Pharmacopoeia, plasters, ointments and
this field is depilating wax, which is a mixture of beeswax creams should be prepared in pharmacies with a beeswax
and resins. Beeswax has anti-inflammatory and healing base. The white wax is included in the composition of
properties, which is one of the reasons why it is widely used creams, astringents, cleaning, whitening, as well as facial
in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products (Al-Waili 2003, masks. In the United States, the chewing gum (combs wax)
Fratini y col., 2016). It is used to cover sewing cords in shoe is attributed to have certain useful properties, among others,
production, paperboards, and even in some cultures to to activate the secretion of saliva and gastric juice, as well
produce dried meat. It is also used in the manufacture of as to eliminate dental stones and reduce nicotine
shoe polishes and creams, to protect cans from acidic attack concentrations in smokers (Valega 2008). Recently,
from fruit juices and other corrosive agents. In jewelry and beeswax has been used for encapsulation of drugs and
sculpture modeling it is used to make models for pieces, due flavors (Ranjha y col., 2010, Fabra y col., 2009).
to its malleability (Tulloch 1980, Mladenoska 2012).
Beeswax in some Asia and Africa countries is used to create 2.5 Beeswax chemical composition
batik fabrics, and in the manufacture of small metal
ornaments by means of the molten wax method (FAO Beeswax comprises at least 284 different compounds,
2005). Currently, companies such as Stockmar and Filana of which 21 major compounds represent 56% of the total
use beeswax to make wax crayons (Stockmar 2018a, Filana composition of the wax. The average composition of
2018), additionally, candelilla wax have been proposed in beeswax is presented in Table 1 (Tulloch 1971).
beeswax crayon formulations (Gaytan 2005). Stockmar also
manufactures modeling beeswax (Stockmar 2018b). Table 1. Beeswax composition
Components Percentage (%)
2.3 Beeswax physical properties Hydrocarbons 14
Monoesters 35
Beeswax is an inert material with high plasticity at a Diesters 14
relatively low temperature (around 32ºC) (Hepburn, 2012). Triesters 3
Its melting point is not constant, since the composition Hydroxy monoesters 4
varies slightly depending on its origin. Typical values are Hydroxy polyester 8
between (62 °C to 65 °C) (Gaillard y col., 2011). Its relative Monoester acids 1
density at 15 ºC is reported between 0.958 g/cm 3 to 0.970 Polyester acids 2
g/cm3, while its thermal conductivity is approximately 0.25 Free fatty acids 12
W/m.K (Morgan y col., 2002). It is also known that the
Unidentified material 7
viscosity at 100 °C is less than 20 mPa. The boiling point is
unknown and it has a flash point at temperatures higher than
2.6 Beeswax purification
180 °C (Buchwald y col., 2008).
Beeswax, as found in combs, is yellow and has a
2.4 Pharmaceutical properties
particular smell similar to honey. Its purification is carried
out through several procedures reported in the literature.
Sterols present in beeswax are therapeutically useful
The purification procedure consists in melting beeswax
compounds that are effective in lowering cholesterol levels.
in a water bath at a temperature higher than 60 ºC, and then
The incorporation of sterols to different foods may be
it is bleached through a variety of methods, among them:
convenient (Mellema 2008).
exposition to the sun (Midgley 1993), through
In cosmetology it is used for delicate skin care,
diatomaceous earths and activated carbon (Orantes 2012),
especially when it is dry. It cleans the epidermis, softens
or with sulfuric acid (Valega 2008). The molten beeswax is
and nourishes the dermis, thus preventing skin aging.
then poured on a vessel and partially submerged in
Products that contain beeswax soften the skin. White wax
temperate water, while slowly mixing, and the impurities
normally enters the composition of nourishing, astringent,
are scraped off the surface. The purified beeswax is white
cleansing creams and skin masks.
and translucent and has thin edges.
The therapeutic properties of beeswax were already
known in antiquity. Avicenna in his famous "Canon of
2.7 Beeswax formulation for creams and ointments
medicine" cites a number of medicine formulas, whose
composition includes beeswax. Archeological evidence of
In general, to obtain a dermocosmetic cream, the
beeswax ointments have been found from as early as the
components of each phase must be mixed separately at a
16th century (Baeten y col., 2010).
temperature close to 60 ºC, then incorporate one phase in
Nowadays, beeswax continues to occupy a prominent
the other under mixing, cool and homogenize. However, for
place in medicine preparations (Fratini y col., 2016).
ointments, the preparation is simpler, as a single phase is
Revista Ciencia e Ingeniería. Vol. 40 No. 1, diciembre-marzo, 2019
20 Márquez y col.

prepared. The procedure consists basically in melting the • Color: user confidence when observing the color of the
beeswax at a temperature higher than 65 ºC, and adding the ointment.
formulation components.
In this sense, the cream or ointment components must • Appearance: granules or impurities observation in the
be chosen according to the objective that is pursued with the ointment.
application on the skin. Thus, beeswax can be used as a
component in moisturizing creams, for burns, stretch marks,
wrinkles, cellulite, lip balms and even for sunscreen • Consistency: homogeneous or heterogeneous.
formulations (Salisbury y col., 1954, Herrero 2000, Remiro
2000, Goncalves and Miñana 2011, Lombardero 2011). • Taste: acceptable or not.

3 Experimental 3.4 Production of sesame oil - beeswax soap

3.1 Beeswax purification 50 g of purified beeswax are used for each formulation.
Sodium hydroxide is from IQE (Venezuela). A saturated
Beeswax was purchased from Apicola Andina, Venezuela, NaCl (Riedel de Häen, Germany) solution is used to
and purified afterwards. For this purpose small beeswax precipitate the soap. The filter paper is weighted and the
pieces are cut and disposed in a container which is sample placed in a glass container, using the same
submerged in a thermostatted bath to completely melt it. percentages of beeswax and sesame oil used in ointments
Once the wax is completely liquid, which occurs at an formulation. A solution of sodium hydroxide is prepared for
approximate temperature of 82ºC, all the impurities, which 70% saponification (0.134 g NaOH/g sesame oil and 0.067
will be floating on the surface of the liquid or sedimented in g NaOH/g beeswax), with a water/oil relationship of 345 g
the bottom, should be removed with the help of a spatula. of water per 1000 g of total oil phase. The reaction is
At the end of the process, beeswax should be placed in carried out in a thermostatted bath, maintained at a constant
easy-to-mold containers to solidify, and then impurities are temperature of 70 °C. The mixture is constantly stirred to
scraped with the help of a knife, until the beeswax is keep it homogeneous until the formation of a viscous
completely clean. solution with foam. To know if the reaction is over, a small
sample of the mixture is taken and added to water, if the
3.2 Sesame oil – beeswax ointment formulation sample does not dissolve, the stirring under heating should
continue. Then the soap paste is packed into an easy-to-
The already purified beeswax is weighed to prepare mold container to shape it, after 3 days the paste is removed
ointments with different compositions 5, 10, 20, 30 and and stored in a paper bag for up to 28 days. pH of the soap
35% beeswax content (correspondingly 95, 90, 80, 70 and is measured to determine its value as time proceeds.
65% sesame oil); each ointment is obtained per duplicate.
The amount of beeswax is measured, completing it with 3.5 Foamability tests
sesame oil (extra virgin, Elite, Venezuela) in a graduated
cylinder until a total of 40 g of ointment is obtained. The 1% soap solution and distilled water are used. Foamability
beeswax and sesame oil mixture is heated to 60 ºC and is measured through the Ross-Miles method (ASTM D
stirred with a IKA stirrer (Eurostar model) at 250 rpm per 1173-53). This is a standardized method to measure the
10 min. Then it is left to cool at ambient temperature under foaming capacity from a surfactant solution by measuring
continuous stirring. the height of the foam produced. 250 ml of a 1% soap
solution are prepared and heated to 120 °F; then 50 ml of
3.3 Physical characteristics of beeswax ointments the same solution is added to the bottom of a glass cylinder
1 m high and 5 cm in diameter which is thermostatted at
A sensory analysis of each ointment sample is carried out 120 °F, in the same way the solution is placed inside a
and the following aspects are evaluated: burette (200 mL). Subsequently, 1 meter height must be
measured between the cylinder solution and the burette
• Oiliness on the skin: oil residue that is left over the skin nozzle. Then the nozzle is placed in the direction of the
cylinder and the valve is completely opened. At the exact
after the ointment is applied.
moment when the valve opens, the chronometer starts.
Initial intervals of 30 seconds are used to take
• Spreading: ease to spread and ointment capable of measurements, after the height changes are not very
flowing easily on the skin surface. noticeable the interval is increased to 1 minute and finally
15 minutes. Height variations should be reported as well as
• Odor or scent: aroma of the ointment. time variations. The solution forms foam when it falls on
Revista Ciencia e Ingeniería. Vol. 40 No. 1, diciembre-marzo, 2019
Technological use of beeswax for obtaining organic products… 21

the solution at the bottom of the cylinder. The maximum  20% beeswax ointment: yellowish color, medium
height reached (Hmax) represents the foamability of the viscosity, very good absorption and spreading and
solution, the latter being measured between the top of the unpleasant odor.
generated foam and the height corresponding to the 250 ml
of the solution at the bottom of the cylinder, that is, when  30% beeswax ointment: thicker ointment, difficult to
the foam has disappeared completely. The uncertainty of the adsorb on the skin
measurements is mainly related to the difficulty of reading
the height of the foam, and corresponds to the appreciation  35% beeswax ointment: ointment consistent, good
of the graduated cylinder. aspect, smell of honey and good spreading ability.

3.6 Formulation scan Table 3. Composition of sesame oil - beeswax ointment

bases
Soap solution, NaCl solution, kerosene, n-pentanol and
distilled water are used to perform a formulation scan % beeswax in Beeswax Sesame oil Total weight
between 2 and 6% NaCl, according to the standard ointment weight (g) weight (g) ointment (g)
procedure (Salager y col., 1982). In a graduated cylinder are 5 2.0 38.0 40.0
added the following: NaCl solution (in the amount 10 4.0 36.1 40.1
necessary for 3%, 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 6%, 7% NaCl), Milli-Q 20 8.0 32.0 40.0
water, soap solution (1%), kerosene (WOR = 1) and n- 30 12.0 28.1 40.1
pentanol (5%). The test tube is shaken gently and allowed to 35 14.1 26.0 40.1
pre-equilibrate for 24 h. Afterwards, the contents of the tube
are emptied into a beaker and continuously mixed with a In the elaboration of ointments based on beeswax, a survey
magnetic stirrer for about 1 min. Then, it is transferred was carried out to perform a sensory analysis of the
again to the test tube and the chronometer immediately different products obtained. Table 4 reflects the average
begins, measurements of the volume of the aqueous phase results of this analysis, which was performed on a total of
separated against time are made. 20 subjects, where 0 is the lowest value and 5 is the highest
one.
4 Results and discussion
Table 4. Sensory analysis results for the ointments at
4.1 Beeswax purification different beeswax concentrations.
The results for beeswax purification are presented in table
2, all are above 80% yield, with an average of 88.1%.
Spreading ability

Consistency
Appearance
% beeswax

Oiliness

Table 2. Beexwax purification Color

Taste
Odor

Sample 1 2 3 4 5
Initial weight
297.1 322.6 300.0 300.1 295.3
(g)
Purified
267.2 260.0 268.0 272.1 265.7
weight (g)
%Yield 89.9 80.6 89.4 90.6 90.0 5 3.7 4.1 1.8 3.9 3.7 4.1 3.1

4.2 Sesame oil – beeswax ointment formulation

10 4.3 4.2 1.3 1.0 2.3 4.3 2.7
In Table 3, the amount of beeswax and sesame oil used for
each ointment formulation is presented.
20 3.0 4.3 4.7 2.7 3.3 4.0 3.7
The physical characteristics of the ointments were the
following:
35 1.3 4.7 3.7 2.7 3.0 4.7 3.0
 5% beeswax ointment: very oily, spreadable, beige
color, buttery odor, very fluid.

 10% beeswax ointment: opaque yellow, vegetable oil The 35% beeswax ointment gave a better acceptance among
odor, very oily, and slightly viscous. the respondents. Depending on the percentage of beeswax
Revista Ciencia e Ingeniería. Vol. 40 No. 1, diciembre-marzo, 2019
22 Márquez y col.

with which each of the ointment is formulated, a specific 10, 25 and 30% beeswax soaps, beginning with a high pH =
use can be obtained i.e. lip balm, dermocosmetic ointment 14, down to a range of pH = 8-9. This decrease in pH is due
and massage formulation, according to its beeswax content to the fact that over time, the remaining NaOH reacts with
(high, medium and low, respectively). When working with the fatty oils, causing the decrease thereof.
higher concentrations of beeswax, a solid-like ointment was
obtained, since more solids are found suspended in the oil Comparing the final pH results with those of commercial
and the mixture obtained is much denser, while at a lower soaps, referenced in the Venezuelan Dermatology journal,
concentration, a fluid ointment was obtained. such as Palmolive (pH = 9.99), Dove (pH = 7.39),
Safeguard (pH = 10.23), Protex (pH = 9.6) (D'Santiago and
4.3 Production of sesame oil - beeswax soap de Marcano 1996), among others, it is found that beeswax is
a viable and effective raw material to obtain soap when
In Table 5 the quantities of beeswax, sesame oil, NaOH combined with sesame oil.
solution and water used to obtain each soap are depicted.
Figure 1 shows pH measurement of the soaps obtained. A 4.4 Soap foamability study
final pH between 8 and 9 was reached in 10 days, being this
time necessary to reach equilibrium in the saponification Foamability, measured with the Ross-Miles method, was
reaction at 25 ºC. The 20 and 35% beeswax soaps reached similar in all formulations, with an average of Hmax = 20.4
low pH values rapidly; however, it is not obvious to ± 2.1 cm. This foamability value is comparable to other
evaluate the role of the changes of the oil phase anionic surfactants (Rosen 2004).
composition to explain this behaviour.
Figure 2 depicts foam stability as the lifetime to break 50%
Table 5. Raw materials for sesame oil - beeswax soap of the foam of each of the soap formulations. Longer foam
making stabilities (46 and 47 minutes) were found for the 10% -
NaOH Water 30% soaps. On the other hand, for the 35% beeswax soap, a
Beesw Beeswax Sesame oil
70% weight lifetime of only 10.5 minutes was observed, yielding the
ax % weight (g) weight (g)
weight (g) (g) lowest stability value. This probably is due to the presence
10 4.0 36.0 3.5 13.8 of beeswax particles in the soap, which can break the foam.
20 8.0 32.0 3.4 13.8
25 10.1 30.2 3.2 13.8
30 12.0 28.1 3.2 13.8
35 14.0 26.0 3.1 13.9

Figure 2. Foam stability vs. % beeswax in the oil phase

4.5 Soap formulation scan

Figure 1. pH of sesame oil - beeswax soaps against time for 10, 20, 25, 30
Salinity scans for soap products (sodium carboxylate
and 35% beeswax in the oil phase (correspondingly 90, 80, 75, 70 and 65% surfactants) were carried out from 2 to 6 % NaCl for the
sesame oil). soap (1%)-n-pentanol (5%)-kerosene-brine system. Two
formulations were studied, one with a low (20%) and the
pH decreases progressively over a long period of time in the other with a high (35%) beeswax content. Emulsion
Revista Ciencia e Ingeniería. Vol. 40 No. 1, diciembre-marzo, 2019
Technological use of beeswax for obtaining organic products… 23

stability against salinity shows a minimum where optimum 5 Conclusions

formulation is found. In the present study, the time for 50%
volume separation of the aqueous phase was taken as the Soaps and dermocosmetic ointments from natural products
lifetime of emulsions. It has been shown previously that the such as beeswax and sesame oil were obtained, with an
minimum is found at the same salinity no matter the phase experimental procedure that allows attaining organic
measured aqueous or oil phase (Marquez y col., 2018a, products, nontoxic for the human being. Different
Marquez y col., 2018b). formulations of dermocosmetic ointments were developed.
At 35% beeswax in the oil phase the ointment has
HLD equation (1) (Salager y col., 1979, Salager y col., consistency similar to cocoa butter, therefore it can be used
2013) can be expressed for this system as: as a lip balm, due to the healing properties and nature of
beeswax. At concentrations close to 15% beeswax the
HLD = ln S + σ − k EACN + f(A) − at ΔT (1) product obtained is less viscous, so it can be used for
massages. Likewise at concentrations between 20-30%
Sodium carboxylate soaps are very hydrophilic surfactants, beeswax, the dermocosmetic ointment is slightly solid, thus
and kerosene has an equivalent alkane chain number EACN this formulation could be used in applications for scars and
= 8.5. at = 0.01 and k = 0.10 for carboxylate surfactants. burns treatment. It was determined in sensory analysis
Temperature in the present experiments is 25 ºC, i.e. surveys that the ointment of 20 and 35 % beeswax,
equation (1) can be expressed as: respectively, are the most suitable for dermatological use.
Foam stability studies indicate that beeswax soap solutions
HLD = ln S + σ − 0.10 x 8.5 + f(A) − 0.01 ΔT (2) have high foamability; although at 35% beeswax the foam
is unstable, probably due to the presence of beeswax
Salinity to reach optimum formulation, for this kind of very particles. By means of a formulation scan, optimum
hydrophilic surfactant, in a system without alcohol is very formulation was found, which is in the range of 3.5 to 4%
high. In this system a 5 % n-pentanol (with an f(A) = 2.3) is NaCl for the soap-kerosene-n-pentanol-brine system, being
used to reach optimum formulation at relatively low 3.5-4 the soap a highly hydrophilic surfactant with a surfactant
% salinity (Celis y col., 2008, Marquez y col., 2016b). characteristic parameter value σ = -3.1 and -3.2, similar to
sodium dodecyl sulfate, σ = -3.0.
In Figure 3, the lifetimes for 50% of coalesced volume vs.
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surfactant formulation for enhanced oil recovery: a review.
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how it has been implemented in the Chemical Engineering
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Márquez, Ronald: is a Chemical Engineer from Universidad Peña, Holaya: is a graduate student of the EIQULA. Correo
de Los Andes (Merida-Venezuela). He is currently carrying electrónico: [email protected]
out Doctoral studies in the area of Interfacial Rheology in
applications of crude dehydration and enhanced oil Quintero, Amanda: is a graduate of the EIQULA. Correo
recovery. He is a professor at EIQULA and a researcher at electrónico: [email protected]
FIRP Laboratory.
Rosales, Diego: is a graduate of the EIQULA. Correo elec-
Balsamo, Santo: is a student of the Master in Organizational trónico: [email protected]
and Logistics Engineering at Universitat Politècnica de
València. Correo electrónico: [email protected] Ruiz, Natalia: is a graduate of the EIQULA. Correo electró-
nico: [email protected]
Araujo, Jesús: is a graduate student of the Chemical
Engineering School at Universidad de Los Andes Zambrano, Jonathan: is a graduate of the EIQULA. Correo
(EIQULA). Correo electrónico: electrónico: [email protected]
[email protected]
Tolosa, Laura: is a Chemical Engineer from the
Revista Ciencia e Ingeniería. Vol. 40 No. 1, diciembre-marzo, 2019
26 Márquez y col.

Universidad de Los Andes, Professor of Analytical

Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis at the EIQULA. She
is currently studying in the area of education and pedagogy.
Correo electrónico: [email protected]

Revista Ciencia e Ingeniería. Vol. 40 No. 1, diciembre-marzo, 2019

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