Saccharum spontaneum L. (wild sugarcane, Kans grass) is a weed native to South Asia and grows throughout India. Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) is a commercial source of wax. Its contains esters, policosanol and long chain fatty acids. In the present investigation an attempt was made to extract the crude wax from wild cane peel and its characterization was studied. The colour of purified wax was pale yellow and its yield was 5.5%. The Acid value, saponification value and iodine value was found to be 57.1, 112.2 and 5.076 mg/g respectively. Melting point of crude wax observed at 85 - 90°C. Thin layer chromatography showed the presence of alcohol and hydrocarbon fractions. In FTIR analysis prominent peaks indicated alcohol, aldehyde, alkanes, ketones and carboxylic acid groups. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of propanoic acid, pentadecenoic acid, heptadecenoic acid, octadecenoic acid and docasanedioic acid respectively. Apart from the major components carboxylic and benzoic acids were also present. These acids play a significant role in human nutrition, lipid peroxidation, antiplatelet and cholestrol lowering effects.
