CHEMICAL STUDY OF THE CARNAUBA (Copernicia cerifera Martius) WAX

Authors

  • Maytee Deroux Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas
  • Abilio Laguna Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas
  • Ernesto Mendez Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas
  • Miriam Cora Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas

Abstract

The chemical composition of Carnauba (Copernicia cerifera Martius) wax (a palm tree that grows in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay)
was studied. When a previous saponification of the wax' was done, fractions that contain different groups of compounds were isolated and identified. Among them, could be mentioned: fatty alcohols of high molecular weight (C24-C36) in which 1-dotriacontanol in the main one; fatty acids of medium (C12-C20) where hexadecanoic acid is the main one and those of high molecular weight (C24-C36), being octacosanoic acid the main one. A group of paraffins was, also, isolated, being heptacosane the main one corresponding to the homologue series of that of the alcohols. Also, were isolated 4 hydroxy acids: 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic, 18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid as well as 26-hydroxyhexacosanoic and 28-hydroxyoctacosanoic acid. No unsaturated hydroxy acids were observed inour study. These compounds were characterized by means of the chromatographic and spectroscopic properties of each one of these groups
of compounds .

Published

2022-05-26

How to Cite

Deroux, M. ., Laguna, A., Mendez, E. ., & Cora, M. . (2022). CHEMICAL STUDY OF THE CARNAUBA (Copernicia cerifera Martius) WAX. NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (CENIC) CHEMICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL, 34(2), 085-089. Retrieved from https://revista.cnic.edu.cu/index.php/RevQuim/article/view/1575

Issue

Section

Research articles