Rice bran wax (E908): description, application

Rice bran wax is a useful additive that is used in the food industry and cosmetology. To evaluate its properties, it is necessary to study the features and use cases.

What is Rice Bran Wax

Rice bran wax, or E908, is a natural food additive without chemical or synthetic compounds in its composition. In the food industry, it mainly plays the role of anti-flaming, preventing foaming, and is used in glazing. It has a high cosmetic value.

Rice bran wax is usually sold in an already crushed form.

Despite the safety for the body, it is prohibited for use in Canada, Belarus and EU countries. It is approved for use in Russia and the United States and is often found in products.

How do you get

Natural wax is obtained naturally from the processing of rice bran. First, they are pressed, after which oil is extracted with organic solvents. The resulting product is purified and refined, and then passed alternately through several cycles of extraction and cooling. Gradually the oil acquires a viscous waxy consistency and hardens.

Composition and physical properties

The finished rice bran wax has a firm consistency, a pleasant oily odor and a sweetish taste, and may be light yellow or brownish in color. The additive contains valuable substances, among which are:

• tocopherol;
• squalene;
• phytosterols;
• ethers of cyril and myricyl alcohol;
• tocotrienol;
• phospholipids;
• fatty acid.

The wax substance dissolves in hot oil and chloroform, but cannot be diluted in water. The melting point starts from 82 ° C.

What is useful for human health

The food supplement is considered safe for human health in most countries. In the food industry, it is used in minimal quantities, and it is very difficult to get an overdose of rice bran wax. At the same time, the additive does not bring significant benefits when used internally. Basically, it preserves the physical characteristics of the ingredients and makes the products more attractive.

Of interest is rice bran wax in cosmetics. With proper use, the substance:

• protects the skin from drying out and forms a thin impenetrable film on it that prevents moisture loss;
• softens the sensitive epidermis and smoothes the first fine wrinkles;
• slows down skin aging due to antioxidant properties;
• stimulates cell renewal and prevents the development of malignant processes;
• maintains the firmness and elasticity of the facial skin;
• protects the epidermis from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays;
• helps relieve inflammation;
• accelerates the healing of skin lesions;
• soothes irritations.

Rice bran wax is used in hair care.The substance restores damaged hair, smoothes scales and prevents breakage and loss of strands, and also has a conditioning effect.

Rice wax can be used to add volume to eyebrows and eyelashes

Application area

Rice bran wax is mainly used in two areas - in the food industry and cosmetology. Sometimes the substance is also used in the manufacture of carbon paper and candles; it can be found in the composition of waterproofing materials.

In the food industry

Most often, rice bran wax in the food industry is used for glazing products. The additive is present in casing mixes for fruits and vegetables. Apples, pears, oranges and tangerines are treated with products with its content - the use of wax coatings not only gives the fruits a beautiful shine, but also prolongs the shelf life. The additive preserves vegetables and fruits without negatively affecting their composition.

Rice bran wax is used in the processing of pills, caramel candies, chocolate, coffee beans and nuts. The substance prevents desserts from foaming during the preparation process and serves as an anti-flaming agent. It is sometimes used as a flavor enhancer and added to a gum base. You can meet E908 as part of flour confectionery.

In cosmetology

Rice bran wax has a high melting point and remains firm for a long time. This allows it to be used in the manufacture of lipsticks and lip balms. The additive is responsible for a smooth homogeneous structure and a pleasant neutral smell of cosmetics.

Wax lip balms prevent cracks and sores

Rice wax can be found in creams, body oils and lotions. Basically, the substance serves as a thickener and stabilizer. In addition, it imparts protective properties to cosmetic products, since it reduces the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. Rice bran wax is found in shampoos and conditioners for weak, dry hair, and in styling products.

Applications and recipes

You can make healthy beauty products from rice bran wax at home. This requires only the E908 additive itself and simple auxiliary components.

Lip balm recipe

Rice wax balm will protect your lips from cracking in cold weather and prevent wrinkles at the corners of the mouth. A cosmetic product is done like this:

• a large spoonful of crushed wax substance is poured into a small glass container with high walls;
• add 50 ml of any oily base;
• put the container in a water bath;
• melt rice wax at a temperature of about 90 ° C to a liquid state.

Then the container is removed from the stove and the ingredients are thoroughly mixed until smooth. The cooled soft balm is applied to the lips on frosty days or in the presence of wounds and cracks.

Wax polishing of nails

The emollient properties of rice bran wax are beneficial to the cuticle and help restore nail structure. At home, you can easily prepare a polishing mixture:

• 20 g of the wax substance is melted at 90 ° C to a liquid state;
• add three large spoons of base oil with a pleasant smell;
• mix the components and remove the container from the heat;
• cool the mixture slightly;
• 5 ml of glycerin and five drops of your favorite essential oil are added;
• wait for the composition to solidify.

Before using the product, a manicure is performed - they give the nails the desired shape and lightly polish the plate. With a piece of suede, the cooled rice wax is rubbed into the plate and cuticle. Within a couple of minutes, the nails are polished, and then the cosmetic is applied again and all the manipulations are repeated three more times. The treated plates are immersed in cold water for five minutes to fix.

You can paint nails after wax polishing in 3-4 days

Rice bran hair wax

Rice wax can be used as a home remedy for split ends. The recipe looks very simple:

• 0.5 g of rice bran wax is mixed with 5 g of beeswax;
• add 15 ml of pine nut oil to the main component;
• melt in a water bath and mix thoroughly;
• 7 ml of argan ether and 10 drops of broccoli oil are added.

Mix the components again, then pour the warm product into a clean glass or plastic jar and add two drops of ylang-ylang oil. Then it remains to wait for the composition to cool completely at room temperature. The finished homemade wax is applied to damp hair at the very ends. You need to use it in small quantities, no more than a pea rubbed between your fingers.

Contraindications and possible harm

Rice bran wax is not always beneficial. Contraindications relate mainly to food intake of the supplement. It is necessary to refuse products with its content:

• with individual allergies;
• with exacerbation of gastric diseases;
• with acute pancreatitis;
• with intestinal infections.

Intolerance to E908 supplements is manifested by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Foods containing rice bran wax are not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under 12 years of age.

For external use, rice wax is dangerous for hypersensitivity and individual intolerance. If the product causes redness and itching of the skin, it must be discarded.

Before the first cosmetic use of rice wax, an allergy test should be performed on the wrist.

Conclusion

Rice bran wax is an additive with neutral nutritional value and great cosmetic benefits. At home, the substance is used mainly for skin, hair and nails care, it has a softening and protective effect.