In his book "Beeswax" published in 1951, Huber H. Root describes a means
to test for mineral wax in beeswax. It is based on the fact that
microcrystalline mineral wax cannot be saponified, whereas beeswax can
be.
 
        "One ounce of sodium or potassium hydroxide and 2 oz of wax are brought
to a boil as rapidly as possible in 500cc of water. After the wax is
melted, the liquid is allowed to boil one minute with violent agitation.
The liquid id cooled, the aqueous solution drained off, and the
container refilled with water - to the same level as before - and boiled
for one minute. On cooling, any mineral wax or other nonsaponifiable wax
will rise to the surface and solidify.
        Any undue extension of the boiling periods in this method may result in
the breaking down of the mineral wax and affect the accuracy of tha
results."
 
He further recommends making up wax samples with known amounts of
mineral wax to test the process.
 
Coggshall and Morse in their 1984 book "Beeswax" give quite a bit of
information on both chemical and physical characteristics of beeswax.
They don't describe testing procedures.
 
Have at it
 
Dick Bonney
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