Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils and Extracts of Oleo-Gum Resins from Boswellia papyrifera (Tarak tarak) Grown in Some Parts of the Sudan

Three samples (Kordofan, Damazine and Nagawa) of oleo-gum resins of Boswellia papyrifera grown in some parts of Sudan were subjected to screening with the objective of evaluating their antimicrobial activity. The essential oils of the three samples showed high antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria (Basillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Echercshia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi) with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 5 - 10 µg/ ml. In addition, they demonstrated antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans with MIC of 5 µg/ ml. Petroleum ether extracts and acid fractions derived from the three samples showed high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Echercshia coli and Basillus subtilis. Chloroform extracts and non-acid fractions of both Kordofan and Damazine frankincense suppressed the growth of Basillus subtilis, Echercshia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Salmonella typhi showed resistance to all used materials except the non-acid fraction from Kordofan frankincense. Furthermore, all tested bacteria (excluding Basillus subtilis) and fungi (except Candida albicans) showed resistance to the methanolic and water extracts. The essential oils and various extracts from Sudanese Boswellia papyrifera can be of potential use as antimicrobial ag