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insects. In case of vertebrates, waxes help to maintain the skin soft, flexible, lubricated, and water proof. The hair, fur and wool of the animals are also coated with
wax. Similarly, the wax secreted in the body of birds, keep their feathers water
repellent.
Compound Lipids
Compound lipids are ester of fatty acids and alcohol along with other additional
groups such as phosphorus, amino acid or amine derivative, carbohydrates, protein.
Hence it is also referred as complex or conjugated lipids. Based on the group, compound lipids are classified into
Table 3 Types of plant and
animal waxes
Wax type
Sources
Plant wax
Carnauba wax
Leaves of Brazilian palm tree
Castor wax
Produced by hydrogenation of castor oil
Rice bran wax
Obtained from rice bran
Soy wax
Obtained from soybean oil
Candelilla wax Leaves of the small Candelilla shrub
Japan wax
From the berries and stems of the Rhus
succedanea tree
Animal wax
Bee wax
Secreted by bees and present in honey
comb
Spermaceti wax Head cavities and blubber of sperm
whale
Lanolin wax
Obtained from wool of lamb
Shellac wax
Secreted by female lac bug on the bark of
trees
Chinese wax
Secreted by Ceroplastes ceriferus insect
Table 2 Difference between fats and oils
Fats
Oils
Remain solid at room temperature
Remain liquid at room temperature
Mostly from animal source—Stored in liver and
bone marrow
Mostly from plant source—Stored in seeds
and fruits
Rich in saturated fatty acids—No C=C bonds
Rich in unsaturated fatty acids—One or more
C=C bonds
Higher melting point
Relatively lower melting point
Have low iodine number
Have high iodine number
Have high Reichert-Meissl number
Have low Reichert-Meissl number
More stable
Less stable
Example: Butter, tallow, lard
Example: Palm oil, coconut oil, corn oil
Lipids and Oils: An Overview
insects. In case of vertebrates, waxes help to maintain the skin soft, flexible, lubricated, and water proof. The hair, fur and wool of the animals are also coated with
wax. Similarly, the wax secreted in the body of birds, keep their feathers water
repellent.
Compound Lipids
Compound lipids are ester of fatty acids and alcohol along with other additional
groups such as phosphorus, amino acid or amine derivative, carbohydrates, protein.
Hence it is also referred as complex or conjugated lipids. Based on the group, compound lipids are classified into
Table 3 Types of plant and
animal waxes
Wax type
Sources
Plant wax
Carnauba wax
Leaves of Brazilian palm tree
Castor wax
Produced by hydrogenation of castor oil
Rice bran wax
Obtained from rice bran
Soy wax
Obtained from soybean oil
Candelilla wax Leaves of the small Candelilla shrub
Japan wax
From the berries and stems of the Rhus
succedanea tree
Animal wax
Bee wax
Secreted by bees and present in honey
comb
Spermaceti wax Head cavities and blubber of sperm
whale
Lanolin wax
Obtained from wool of lamb
Shellac wax
Secreted by female lac bug on the bark of
trees
Chinese wax
Secreted by Ceroplastes ceriferus insect
Table 2 Difference between fats and oils
Fats
Oils
Remain solid at room temperature
Remain liquid at room temperature
Mostly from animal source—Stored in liver and
bone marrow
Mostly from plant source—Stored in seeds
and fruits
Rich in saturated fatty acids—No C=C bonds
Rich in unsaturated fatty acids—One or more
C=C bonds
Higher melting point
Relatively lower melting point
Have low iodine number
Have high iodine number
Have high Reichert-Meissl number
Have low Reichert-Meissl number
More stable
Less stable
Example: Butter, tallow, lard
Example: Palm oil, coconut oil, corn oil
Lipids and Oils: An Overview