The proteins of beeswax

Ultrastructure of the wax gland complex and secretion of beeswax in the worker honey bee Apis mellifera L

“…The ultrastructure of the wax gland complex (epithelial cells, oenocytes and adipocytes) in honey bee workers has been studied in relation to the synthesis, the transport and the secretion of beeswax, a composite mixture of hydrocarbons, fatty acids (Hepburn et al, 1984 and proteins (Kurstjens et al, 1990 Kurstjens et al, 1990).…”

The thermal properties of beeswaxes: unexpected findings

“…Each of these classes is represented by numerous substances, and the mixture is made even more complex by the presence of many other compounds in low concentration (Aichholz and Lorbeer, 1999;Aichholz and Lorbeer, 2000). In addition to hydrocarbons, proteins are present in beeswax and are probably added when wax scales are manipulated in the bees' mouths (Kurstjens et al, 1985;Kurstjens et al, 1990).…”

Physical properties of honeybee silk: a review

“…This material is present, quite apart from silk, in both wax scales and in newly constructed combs. In both cases, this partially characterised protein (Kurstjens et al 1990) is positively associated with enhanced stiffness in both scales and comb. Nothing is known of the molecular behaviour of this protein or how it might contribute to the stiffness of wax.…”

“…In addition to crystal structure, white comb wax is also affected by the presence of a protein fraction (Kurstjens et al 1985(Kurstjens et al , 1990). This material is present, quite apart from silk, in both wax scales and in newly constructed combs.…”

“…Thus, much of the honeybee nest gradually changes from a single phase (wax) to a composite (wax/ silk) material. Some of the material properties of the individual phases of the honeybee nest have previously been characterized (Hepburn 1986;Hepburn et al 1979;Hepburn and Kurstjens 1988;Kurstjens et al 1985Kurstjens et al , 1990, but particularly important recent studies on the molecular structure of honeybee silk (Sutherland et al 2006 et seq.) necessitate a review on the composition and properties of honeybee ά-helical silk ( Figure 1), the elastic element in combs of all honeybee species.…”