Solvents Fractionation, Characterization and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Beeswax from Apismelifera
- May 29, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Chemistry, IJRIAS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2021|ISSN 2454-6194
Adewale Fatai Adeyemi1*, Ayotunde Olalekan Afolabi2, Zainab Ariyike Usman2 and Isaac Ayodeji Adesina3
1Department of Chemistry, University Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Nigeria
2Department of Physical and Earth Sciences (Industrial Chemistry Unit), Wesley University Ondo, Nigeria
3Department of Biological Sciences(Microbiology Unit), University of Medical Sciences Ondo, Nigeria
*Corresponding author: A. F. Adeyemi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2021.6404
Abstract: – The variations in the compositions and properties of the unfractionated beeswax and its fractions were investigated with a view to widening the scope of applications of beeswax. Beeswax from Apismeelifera was fractionated using solvents and Methanol, n-hexane, dimethylsulphoxide and diethyl ether were employed. The chemical parameters, antibacterial and antifungi activities as well as FTIR analyses of the beeswax and its fractions were carried out. The chemical parameters of the unfractionated beeswax were within the international standards ranges but most for the fractions were outside the ranges. The n-hexane and diethyl ether fractions were found to be richer in esters and hydrocarbon; while the methanol and dimethylsulphoxide fractions were richer in unsaturated free fatty acids and fatty alcohols. The methanol and dimethylsulphoxide fractions showed stronger antimicrobial activities than unfractionated wax, with the dimethylsulphoxide fraction giving the best inhibitory effects. The results showed that fractionating beeswax into its simpler constituents would add values to this underutilised material.
Keywords: Beeswax, honeycomb, fractionation, FTIR, chemical parameters, antimicrobial activity
I. INTRODUCTION
Beeswax (white or yellow) is a product made from the honeycombs of the bees. It is a natural wax produced in wax glands located in the abdomen of worker bees and used in the construction of combs. A honeycomb is a mass of hexagonal wax cells built by honey bees in their nests to contain their larvae, stores of honey and pollen. Generally, beeswax consists of a complex mixture of saturated and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, mono-, di- and poly esters, hydroxy esters, free fatty acids, free fatty alcohols and minor of other compounds. Crude beeswax contains a large number of minor components (e.g. terpenoids and flavonoids), most of which appear to be plant-derived ([1], [2]). Reference [2] reported that there are more than 300 individual components in beeswax from various species of honeybees and more than 100 of them are volatile.
