PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING CANDELILLA WAX (EUPHORBIA ANTISYPHILITICA ZUCC).

摘要

Consists in a process and material for extracting candelilla wax by means of diluting water-citric acid at 0.05%. The process consists in immersing the candelilla plant into the dissolution and bringing the same to a boiling point until reaching a pressure of 15 lb/in2 (1.05 Kg/cm2) for 5 minutes. The dissolution of water-citric acid at 0.05% is heated at direct flame until bringing it to a boiling point in order to separate the latex from the wax by means of acid hydrolysis and obtain a more stable wax. The pressure cooker is covered until reaching a pressure of 15 lb/in2 with the purpose of detaching most of the wax contained in the stalks. The wax is collected by means of beakers, and then placed in another beaker with water for heating the wax at a temperature higher than 85°C. The wax is let to dry for 24 hours so that most part of the impurities is settled at the bottom of the container. This process proposes a novel alternative for obtaining a better yield of a highly pure wax without affecting the user’s health and the environment.