Biology in Candle Making?
Hey Everyone, Does anyone know if there is a biological concept behind candle making. This can be just about anything from making wax, to making th...
Hey Everyone,
Does anyone know if there is a biological concept behind candle making. This can be just about anything from making wax, to making the wick, to melting wax and other substances together. Is there an enzyme or anything biological that happens in the process of making a candle.
It can be sent, color, texture, ANYTHING!
Thank you,
Batman
Candles used to be made with beef fat (stearin). They’d drain the fat, let it dry, purify it, and then use it to make candles, soaps, etc. To relate it back to biology, Stearin comes from Stearic acid, one of the main components of metabolim. It is extremely important in the body; it gets broken down into smaller fragments and used to make ATP (energy).
from wikipedia: stearin:
"Stearin (pronounced /ˈstiəɹɪn/ or /ˈstɪɹɪn/) is a glyceryl ester of stearic acid, derived from animal fats created as a byproduct of processing beef. It is used as tallow in the manufacture of candles and soap. In the manufacture of soap, it is mixed with a sodium hydroxide solution in water. The following reaction gives glycerin and soap (sodium stearate)…. "
certain molecules fuse together to make the wax along with the color and scent. also fusion is used when the wax comes in contact to the wick
Candles can be made from bees wax. The wax is made by bees to produce the comb to grow brood and store honey.
People render doen the combs and separate off the wax to make candles.