Effect of abiotic stress conditions on the wax production in candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica zucc)

Abstract

Candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica Zucc.) is an endemic plant of the desert of Chihuahua, Mexico. It is used for obtaining of wax, which is important for several industries: food, cosmetic, and pigment. This study evaluate to optimization of the extraction of wax from candelilla without compromising the ecosystem and the worldview of the candelilleros (candelilla growers). In this regard, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of abiotic stress (soil liming, plastic covering and solar reflection) on the wax accumulation in candelilla plants (plant material, PM) during the months of maximum solar radiation. To achieve this purpose the appropriate dilution of H2 SO4 used in thermal hydrolysis for wax extraction was determined. Furthermore, the effects of storage, soaking and the cutting into two pieces of the PM, on the amount of wax extracted, were evaluated. The results in- dicate that the wax content in candelilla plants grown in limed soil (10 g lime/pot) was significantly higher (p≤0.05) compared with other stressful treatments and the Control (untreated plants), which produced on average 54.6% less wax than the limed soil. Also, the storage and the cutting of the PM before carrying out the wax extraction favored wax levels. It was also demonstrated that a better extraction is obtained with dilution 0.2% H2SO4 in the laboratory assays.