Chemical characteristics of degraded beeswax in the waxed volume of the annals of King Sejong in the Joseon Dynasty

The chemical characteristics of degraded beeswax in the wax treated volumes of the annals of King Sejong in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea were investigated and compared with a standard beeswax sample. The oxidation index of the artificially thermally aged beeswax was similar to that of the beeswax in the waxed volumes of the annals of King Sejong. The beeswax in the waxed volumes had gradually degraded in molecular weight over about 400 years. Two low molecules free fatty acid (tetradecanoic acid and lauric acid) were detected in the beeswaxes on the Annals of King Sejong and artificially aged beeswax. These fatty acids should be generated from ester compound of the beeswax by oxidative and hydrolytic degradation. Therefore, it can be concluded that the beeswax in the waxed volume of King Sejong should be oxidized and hydrolyzed gradually for a long time progressed.