Introduction: Bees wax is a complex natural lipid secreted by Apis mellifera and widely used in pharmaceutics, cosmetics and food. Its chemistry comprises long‑chain esters (mainly monoesters), free fatty acids, long‑chain alcohols (e.g., myricyl alcohol) and hydrocarbons. Major sources are honeycomb cappings and comb; preparation involves melting, filtration, refining, bleaching and deodorization. Quality evaluation uses melting point, ester/acid/saponification values, IR/GC‑MS and pharmacopoeial tests. Proper preservation and storage (cool, dry, light‑protected) maintain stability for therapeutic uses such as emollients, wound dressings and ointment bases. Commercial utilities include topical formulations, coatings and food glazing. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the predominant chemical class in beeswax?
- Long‑chain esters (primarily monoesters)
- Short‑chain fatty acids
- Triglycerides
- Polysaccharides
Correct Answer: Long‑chain esters (primarily monoesters)
Q2. What is the primary biological source of commercial beeswax?
- Plant leaves
- Honeycomb cappings from Apis mellifera
- Bee venom glands
- Bee pollen
Correct Answer: Honeycomb cappings from Apis mellifera
Q3. Which long‑chain alcohol is characteristic of beeswax?
- Glycerol
- Myricyl alcohol (triacontanol)
- Ethanol
- Cholesterol
Correct Answer: Myricyl alcohol (triacontanol)
Q4. Which specific ester is often cited as a major component of beeswax?
- Myricyl palmitate (melissyl palmitate)
- Glyceryl tristearate
- Lauryl acetate
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
Correct Answer: Myricyl palmitate (melissyl palmitate)
Q5. Typical melting point range for pure beeswax is approximately:
- 0–10 °C
- 30–40 °C
- 62–64 °C
- 90–100 °C
Correct Answer: 62–64 °C
Q6. Beeswax solubility characteristics include:
- Soluble in water, insoluble in organic solvents
- Insoluble in water; soluble in organic solvents like chloroform and ether
- Soluble in saline solutions
- Soluble only in acids
Correct Answer: Insoluble in water; soluble in organic solvents like chloroform and ether
Q7. Which pharmacopoeial test directly measures free fatty acid content in beeswax?
- Acid value
- Iodine value
- Moisture content
- Peroxide value
Correct Answer: Acid value
Q8. Which analytical technique is most useful to detect paraffin adulteration in beeswax?
- Thin‑layer chromatography only
- Gas chromatography (GC) / GC‑MS
- Simple visual inspection
- pH measurement
Correct Answer: Gas chromatography (GC) / GC‑MS
Q9. In ointment formulation, beeswax primarily acts as a:
- Stiffening agent and oleaginous base modifier
- Primary aqueous phase
- Surfactant emulsifier
- Preservative
Correct Answer: Stiffening agent and oleaginous base modifier
Q10. Recommended storage conditions for pharmaceutical grade beeswax are:
- Hot, humid and exposed to sunlight
- Cool, dry and protected from light
- Frozen at −20 °C only
- Stored in open containers outdoors
Correct Answer: Cool, dry and protected from light
Q11. Is beeswax a good primary emulsifier for oil‑in‑water formulations?
- No, it is not an effective emulsifier by itself
- Yes, it is the best emulsifier available
- Only when dissolved in water it emulsifies
- It acts as an anionic surfactant
Correct Answer: No, it is not an effective emulsifier by itself
Q12. How does beeswax contribute to controlled‑release drug matrices?
- By increasing matrix hydrophobicity and slowing drug diffusion
- By rapidly dissolving and releasing the drug
- By acting as a strong acid catalyst
- By creating porous hydrophilic channels
Correct Answer: By increasing matrix hydrophobicity and slowing drug diffusion
Q13. Which class of hydrocarbons is present in beeswax?
- Long‑chain n‑alkanes
- Benzene derivatives only
- Short‑chain alkenes exclusively
- Polyethylene polymers
Correct Answer: Long‑chain n‑alkanes
Q14. Typical natural colour of unrefined beeswax is:
- Bright white
- Yellow to brown
- Deep blue
- Green
Correct Answer: Yellow to brown
Q15. Which material is commonly used during refining to bleach beeswax?
- Activated charcoal or bleaching earth
- Sodium hydroxide solution only
- Hydrochloric acid exclusively
- Plain water wash with no adsorbent
Correct Answer: Activated charcoal or bleaching earth
Q16. A low iodine value in beeswax indicates:
- A high degree of unsaturation
- A low degree of unsaturation (few double bonds)
- High water content
- High inorganic ash content
Correct Answer: A low degree of unsaturation (few double bonds)
Q17. Relative to many vegetable oils, beeswax stability to oxidation is:
- Relatively higher (more resistant)
- Extremely prone to rancidity within days
- Identical to polyunsaturated oils
- Completely inert and unoxidizable
Correct Answer: Relatively higher (more resistant)
Q18. Which commercial use of beeswax is common in the food industry?
- Food glazing agent for confectionery and cheese
- Primary sugar substitute
- Major protein additive
- Acidulant to preserve canned goods
Correct Answer: Food glazing agent for confectionery and cheese
Q19. Which pharmacopeias include monographs and tests for beeswax?
- USP and BP (United States and British Pharmacopoeias)
- Only ancient herbal texts
- No official pharmacopeia lists beeswax
- Only the Japanese Pharmacopoeia
Correct Answer: USP and BP (United States and British Pharmacopoeias)
Q20. Which analytical method best provides detailed molecular profiling of beeswax components?
- Gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC‑MS)
- Simple pH strip test
- Visual colour matching
- Paper chromatography with water solvent
Correct Answer: Gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC‑MS)
Q21. What does the acid value of beeswax quantify?
- Milligrams of KOH required to neutralize free fatty acids per gram of sample
- Total ester content directly
- Percentage of hydrocarbons present
- Water content in parts per million
Correct Answer: Milligrams of KOH required to neutralize free fatty acids per gram of sample
Q22. What information does the saponification value of beeswax provide?
- Average molecular weight of esterified fatty acids (indirectly)
- Exact melting point to the decimal
- Colour intensity measurement
- Amount of residual sugar
Correct Answer: Average molecular weight of esterified fatty acids (indirectly)
Q23. How is beeswax classified biologically?
- Animal‑derived natural wax
- Mineral wax
- Synthetic polymer
- Plant resin
Correct Answer: Animal‑derived natural wax
Q24. Which molecular feature primarily contributes to beeswax plasticity and malleability?
- Esters of long‑chain alcohols and fatty acids
- High concentration of monosaccharides
- Short volatile acids
- High salt content
Correct Answer: Esters of long‑chain alcohols and fatty acids
Q25. What is the expected effect on beeswax if hydrogenation is applied to unsaturated components?
- Increase in melting point and hardening of the wax
- Complete dissolving in water
- Conversion into polysaccharides
- Instant evaporation at room temperature
Correct Answer: Increase in melting point and hardening of the wax
Q26. Is pure beeswax commonly used alone as a suppository base?
- No — it is usually used as a modifier combined with other bases
- Yes — it is the standard sole base worldwide
- Only when dissolved in water
- Only for pediatric suppositories
Correct Answer: No — it is usually used as a modifier combined with other bases
Q27. Which therapeutic property is most attributed to topical beeswax formulations?
- Emollient and protective barrier action
- Strong systemic analgesic effect
- Potent antihypertensive activity
- Primary antifungal agent for systemic infections
Correct Answer: Emollient and protective barrier action
Q28. Which is a common industrial adulterant of beeswax?
- Paraffin wax
- Sucrose
- Glycerin USP
- High‑purity ethanol
Correct Answer: Paraffin wax
Q29. Which functional group predominates in beeswax chemistry?
- Ester linkage
- Amide bond
- Sulfhydryl group
- Aldehyde group
Correct Answer: Ester linkage
Q30. Which parameter is least commonly used for routine quality evaluation of beeswax in a pharmaceutics lab?
- Viscosity at 20 °C
- Melting point
- Acid value
- Iodine value
Correct Answer: Viscosity at 20 °C
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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