Beeswax cleaning by solvent extraction of pesticides

We set out to test if the methodology used to clean sheep wool wax (Lanolin) from pesticides could be used to clean beeswax as well. We first made an aggregate sample of brood comb wax from three different US beekeepers. Sub-samples of these aggregate wax samples were analyzed for pesticide contamination. The remaining wax, was then dissolved into hexane solution and run through four N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) washes. During these extractions, the pesticides partitioned into the DMF, and so were removed from the beeswax. Following the solvent extractions, the beeswax was tested again for pesticides. An average of 95% of the pesticide contamination was removed by the chemical wash procedure. • Beeswax is the beekeeping matrix with the highest pesticide content. • This study developed methodology for solvent-based removal of pesticides from beeswax (>95%). • Of 24 pesticides detected in beeswax samples before to the solvent extraction, only 3 pesticides were detected after the extraction with DMF.