Suporn Charumanee, Songwut Yotsawimonwat, Panee Sirisa-ard and Kiatisak Pholsongkram

DOI: 10.14456/sjst-psu.2017.55

pp. 509 - 516

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties and chemical composition of epicuticular wax
extracted from leaves of Kluai Namwa, a banana cultivar which is widely grown in Northern Thailand. Its genotype was
identified by a botanist. The wax was extracted using solvent extraction. The fatty acid profiles and physicochemical properties
of the wax namely melting point, congealing point, crystal structures and polymorphism, hardness, color, and solubility were
examined and compared to those of beeswax, carnauba wax and paraffin wax. The results showed that the genotype of Kluai
Namwa was Musa acuminata X M. balbisiana (ABB group) cv. Pisang Awak. The highest amount of wax extracted was 274
µg/cm²
 surface area. The fatty acid composition and the physicochemical properties of the wax were similar to those of
carnauba wax. It could be suggested that the banana wax could be used as a replacement for carnauba wax in various
utilizing areas. 

Keywords

• epicuticular wax
• banana wax
• Kluai Namwa
• Musa spp. carnauba wax