Abstract
Ozokerite, a natural gum base used as a food additive, is described as a purified wax substance found in veins of wax shale and is composed mainly of C29-C53 hydrocarbons, in the Notice (1996) relating to existing food additives in Japan. In order to evaluate the quality of commercially available ozokerite, we have analyzed the constituents. GC/MS analysis of ozokerite showed that the main components were saturated C22-C38 hydrocarbons, while the minor components were saturated C39-C58 hydrocarbons. The range of carbon numbers observed in the main saturated hydrocarbons was lower than those referred to in the Notice. The total concentration of the main saturated C22-C38 hydrocarbons was found, by GC/FID analysis, to be 81%.
