1 Agro-processing division, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Nabi-Bagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal 462038.
2 Dept. of Food Engg, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141 004.
3 Dept. of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141 004.
Beeswax is an important and valuable by-product of beekeeping, which is of ten neglected as a source of additional income or as an utilizable resource. The beeswax obtained from honeycombs, after purification, is put to diverse uses like in the formulation of cold creams, ointment, medicinal lotions, candles etc. However, in our country it is chiefly used for the construction of comb foundation. In the past no major emphasis has been given to this valuable by-product to develop suitable technology to process beeswax. The processing of this by-product has sufficient scope of standardization/mechanization to provide higher value to the end product. This paper presents an in depth account of present status of techniques used as well as prospects of much needed technological interventions required for mechanization/standardization in processing of beeswax to increase product recovery, profitability andior diverse uses.
