The volatile constituents of frankincense – a review

Abstract

The smell of frankincense resin and powder, as well as burned frankincense, has been linked to a series of health effects since ancient times. Additionally, frankincense and its fumes are used as a means to induce positive psychophysical effects and well-being, not only in an ecclesiastical setting but also in traditional medical applications. This review aims to provide an overview of current knowledge of the volatile constituents of frankincense, with explicit consideration concerning the diverse Boswellia varieties. Altogether, more than 300 volatiles in frankincense have been reported in the literature. In particular, a broad diversity has been found in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the volatiles with respect to different varieties of Boswellia. A detailed discussion of the various analytical approaches applied to isolating and analysing the volatile fractions of frankincense is also presented

Separation of Odor Constituents by Microscale Fractional Bulb-To-Bulb Distillation

“…Frankincense has been used as a valuable fragrance source since ancient times, and has been reported to possess a wide range of bioactivity. Many compounds have been identified in frankincense (Hamm et al, 2005;Mertens et al, 2009). To our knowledge, however, the effects of particular odor components have not been clarified in detail.…”

Volatile Compounds in Oleo-gum Resin of Socotran Species of Burseraceae

“…The review articles (Hussain, et al, 2013;Shen, et al, 2012;Mertens, et al, 2009) mention more than 300 compounds in both genera. We found four compounds in the analysed Socotran Boswellia species that have not previously been reported from this genus.…”

“…This variability could have been caused by different features of the site environment of sample trees or differences in the time of sampling (Mertens, et al, 2009); it could also have been caused by different ages of sampled trees or stages of ontogenetic development of the tree part (stem base or annual shoots), from which the resins were taken (Assefa, et al, 2012).…”

“…Thus, although there have been a number of studies (Bekana, et al, 2014;Hussain, et al, 2013;Al-Saidi, et al, 2012;Assefa, et al, 2012;Paul, et al, 2012;Shen, et al, 2012;Woolley, et al, 2012;Mothana, 2011;Mothana, et al, 2011;Sun, et al, 2011;Li, et al, 2010;Van Vuuren, et al, 2010;Mertens, et al, 2009;Al-Harrasi, et al, 2008;Shen, et al, 2008;Camarda, et al, 2007;Singh, et al, 2007;Frank, et al, 2006;Kubmarawa, et al, 2006;Marongiu, et al, 2006;Basar, 2005;Hamm, et al, 2005;Mathe, et al, 2004;Badria, et al, 2003;Baser, et al, 2003;Hammet, et al, 2003;Mikhaeil, et al, 2003;Dekebo, et al, 2002e;Kasali, et al, 2002;Dekebo, et al, 1999;Verghese, et al, 1987;Strappaghetti, et al, 1982) on commercially important species (Boswellia sacra/ carterii, B. papyrifera, B. serrata, B. frereana, B. neglecta, B. rivae, B. dalzielli), we have practically zero knowledge about the chemical composition of resin of species that have small geographical distributions, including various endemic species. For example, only one study of Boswellia pirottae, a species endemic to Ethiopia (Baser, et al, 2003), has been published as has only one study of three endemic species (B. elongata, B. socotrana and B. disoscorides) from Socotra Island .…”

“…Using different chromatographic methods (Paul, et al, 2012;Fei, et al, 2011;Paul, et al, 2011;Mertens, et al, 2009;Pozharitskaya, et al, 2006;Basar, 2005;Büchele, et al, 2003a;2003b;Hamm, et al, 2003;Brody, et al, 2002;Sane, et al, 1998), 311 (Mertens, et al, 2009) to 340 (Hussain, et al, 2013) chemical compounds in Boswellia genus have been found in its oleo-gum resin, including compounds new to science (Büchele, et al, 2003;Culioli, et al, 2003;Dekebo, et al, 2002a;2002b;2002c;2002d;2002e;Basar, et al, 2001;Dekebo, et al, 2000;Klein, et al, 1978). Similarly, in Commiphora, more than 300 chemical compounds have been found (Shen, et al, 2012).…”