General Veterinary Biochemistry

SIMPLE LIPIDS - WAXES

• These are esters of long chain fatty acids with higher molecular weight monohydric alcohols. Fatty acids may be saturated or unsaturated, having 14 to 36 carbon atoms .The long-chain alcohols will have usually 16 to 30 carbon atoms.
• Waxes are the chief storage form of metabolic fuel.
• Waxes serve as protective coat on fruits and leaves, which protects against parasites and prevents excessive evaporation of water.
• Waxes are insoluble in water and provide a water barrier for animals such as sheep. Birds such as waterfowl, secret waxes from their preen glands to make their feathers water repellant.
• Biological waxes are used in the pharmaceutical industry in the manufacturing of lotions, ointments and polishes. The waxes used are lanolin(wool wax), bees wax, carnauba wax (palm tree wax) and spermaceti oil (from whales).