A glazing agent is a natural or synthetic substance that provides a waxy,
homogeneous
Homogeneity and heterogeneity are concepts relating to the uniformity of a substance, process or image. A homogeneous feature is uniform in composition or character (i.e., color, shape, size, weight, height, distribution, texture, language, i ...
coating to prevent water loss from a surface and provide other protection.
Natural
Natural glazing agents keep moisture inside plants and insects. Scientists harnessed this characteristic in coatings made of substances classified as waxes. A natural wax is chemically defined as an ester with a very long hydrocarbon chain that also includes a long chain alcohol.
Examples are:
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Stearic acid
Stearic acid ( , ) is a saturated fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain. The IUPAC name is octadecanoic acid. It is a soft waxy solid with the formula . The triglyceride derived from three molecules of stearic acid is called stearin. Stearic acid ...
(E570)
*
Beeswax
Bee hive wax complex
Beeswax (also known as cera alba) is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus ''Apis''. The wax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of worker bees, which discard it in o ...
(E901)
*
Candelilla wax (E902)
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Carnauba wax
Carnauba (; ), also called Brazil wax and palm wax, is a wax of the leaves of the carnauba palm '' Copernicia prunifera'' (synonym: ''Copernicia cerifera''), a plant native to and grown only in the northeastern Brazilian states of Ceará, Piau ...
(E903)
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Shellac
Shellac () is a resin secreted by the female Kerria lacca, lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. Chemically, it is mainly composed of aleuritic acid, jalaric acid, shellolic acid, and other natural waxes. It is processed and s ...
(E904)
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Microcrystalline wax (E905c),
Crystalline wax (E907)
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Lanolin
Lanolin (from Latin 'wool', and 'oil'), also called wool fat, wool yolk, wool wax, sheep grease, sheep yolk, or wool grease, is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. Lanolin used by humans comes from domestic sheep br ...
(E913)
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Oxidized polyethylene wax (E914)
* Esters of
colophonium (E915)
*
Paraffin Paraffin may refer to:
Substances
* Paraffin wax, a white or colorless soft solid (also in liquid form) that is used as a lubricant and for other applications
* Liquid paraffin (drug), a very highly refined mineral oil used in cosmetics and for med ...
Synthetic
Scientists have produced glazing agents that mimic their natural counterparts. These components are added in different proportions to achieve the optimal glazing agent for a product.
Such products include cosmetics, automobiles and food.
*Some of the characteristics that are looked for in all of the above industries are:
**1. Preservation – the glazing agent must protect the product from degradation and water loss. This characteristic can lead to a longer shelf life for a food or the longevity of a car without rusting.
**2. Stability – the glazing agent must maintain its integrity under pressure or heat.
**3. Uniform viscosity – this ensures a stronger protective coating that can be applied to the product as a homogeneous layer.
**4. Industrial reproduction – because most glazing agents are used on commercial goods and therefore large quantities of glazing agent may be needed.
There are different variations of glazing agents, depending on the product, but they are all designed for the same purpose.
See also
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Glaze (cooking technique)
In cooking, a glaze is a glossy, translucent coating applied to the outer surface of a dish by dipping, dripping, or using a brush. Depending on its nature and intended effect, a glaze may be applied before or after cooking. It may be either swe ...
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Food coating, a comprehensive description of this unit operation in a food processing line.
References
Food additives
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