CANDELILLA WAX

Introduction

Candelilla wax, designated as E902, is a plant-based wax derived from the leaves of the candelilla shrub (Euphorbia antisyphilitica), which is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is a hard, brittle wax with a high melting point and a distinctive, glossy finish. As a food additive, it is used as a glazing agent and surface-finishing agent, providing a protective and shiny coating.

It is prized in the food industry as a vegan and plant-based alternative to beeswax for certain applications. Compared to beeswax, it is harder and has a higher melting point. Compared to carnauba wax (E903), candelilla wax is more flexible and has a higher gloss.

CAS Number

8006-44-8

Synonyms

Candelilla wax, E902, INS 902.

Topic Headings

1. Functional properties as a vegan glazing agent (list form)

• High Gloss Finish: Candelilla wax is capable of producing an extremely high, durable gloss on confectionery products.
• Water Repellence: It forms an effective moisture barrier, preventing fruit and nuts from drying out or absorbing moisture.
• Vegan and Plant-Based: As it is derived from a shrub and not an animal source, it is a preferred alternative to beeswax in vegan-certified products.
• Hardness and Flexibility: It is harder than beeswax but more flexible than carnauba wax, striking a useful balance for many coating applications.
• Compatibility: It is often blended with other waxes (like beeswax or carnauba) to fine-tune the hardness, melting point, and gloss level of the final coating.
• Non-toxic and Inert: It is chemically inert, non-toxic, and does not react with most food components.

2. Physical and chemical properties (list form)

• Appearance: Light brown to yellowish-brown, hard, brittle solid. Refined versions are lighter in color.
• Odor: Faint, characteristic, non-objectionable resinous odor.
• Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in organic solvents like chloroform, toluene, and hot acetone.
• Melting point: 68-73°C (higher than beeswax).
• Specific gravity: Approximately 0.98-0.99.
• Stability: Very stable and resistant to oxidation.

3. Food applications and typical usage levels (list form)

• Vegan confectionery (chocolate dragées, gumdrops) – Used as a glazing agent to produce a high shine without using beeswax.
• Coating for nuts and dried fruit – Prevents clumping, slows rancidity, and adds a glossy appearance.
• Chewing gum base – Used as a texturizer and to help bind other gum base ingredients.
• Citrus fruit coating – Applied in thin layers to improve appearance and reduce moisture loss.
• Tablet coating (supplements) – Used as a polishing agent for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tablets.

4. Regulatory status and safety (paragraph form)

Candelilla wax (E902) is a permitted food additive in the EU. It has been evaluated by EFSA and JECFA and is considered safe for use as a glazing agent at levels necessary to achieve its effect. In the US, it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and is listed in the FDA's Everything Added to Food in the United States (EAFUS) inventory. It is not absorbed by the human body and passes through the digestive system unchanged. It is not considered to be an allergen. However, as a natural plant product, it may contain trace amounts of plant proteins, but allergic reactions are exceedingly rare. Its status as a plant-based product makes it a valuable ingredient in the growing market for plant-based and vegan foods.