Beeswax long chain compounds

The result obtained by GC-MS, with the same SPME conditions, from the black thick balm of a crocodile mummy (sample 1400, Musee Guimet, Lyon, France) is presented in Figure 10.11. The composition of the extract is close to that of sample 1998 but phenolic compounds were not detected. The GC-MS chromatogram obtained with the same substance after acid methanolysis and silylation is presented in Figure 10.12. Except for the sesquiterpenoids eluted between 10 min and 22 min, the observed compounds originate from a beeswax. The biomarkers of this substance are hexadecanoic acids hydroxylated in position 14 or 15 and long chain hydrocarbons, acids and alcohols eluted between 50 min and 90 min. Diterpenoid or triterpenoid resin components are not observed. 

Beeswax is a simple ester of fatty acid and a long chain alcohol. Ear wax contains trigycerides, esters of glycerol and three fatty acids, among other lipid compounds. 

Waxes are also esters of fatty acids. However, the alcohol in a wax is not glycerol it is often a very long chain alcohol. For example, one of the main compounds in beeswax is myricyl palmitate,... 

Other compounds in pottery that can be identified using GC-MS are beeswax, identified by the distribution of -alkanes and long-chain palmitic wax esters. Plant oils can also be possibly identified, and identification is often enhanced through the use of GC-C-IR-MS. 

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