Monoterpene‐rich resins from some kenyan burseraceae

Abstract Volatile oils obtained by the steam distillation of resins from Boswellia neglecta, Commiphora africana, C. campestris and C. ogadensis have been examined by capillary GC and GC‐MS. In each case the oils were found to be entirely monoterpenoid in constitution. All four oils were generally characterized by large amounts of α‐pinene. Other constituents that were important markers of individual species included α‐thujene (B. neglecta, C. africana), sabinene (C. campestris), myrcene and car‐3‐ene (C. ogadensis) and p‐cymene (B. neglecta, C. africana).