Abstract
Ethiopia is one of the countries well endowed with various species of Acacia, Boswellia and Commiphora that are known to produce gum arabic, frankincense and myrrh, respectively. Over 60 gum and resin bearing species are found in the country. The total area of oleo-gum resin bearing woodlands cover about 2.9 million ha of land in the country, with over 300,000 metric tons of natural gum production potential. Boswellia papyrifera is a chief gum resin producing tree species in Ethiopia. The total area covered by the species is estimated to be more than 1.5 million ha. Frankincense and myrrh are used in medicines, beverages and liqueurs, cosmetics, detergents, creams and perfumery, paints, adhesives and dyes manufacturing. Gum Arabic is used as stabilizing, in food and drink industries; in pharmaceuticals, in printing and textile industries. Despite the enormous socio-economic importance of these natural products, the species are declining at an alarming rate due to degradation resulted from agricultural expansion, overgrazing, fire, poor incense harvesting practices, etc. Therefore, research and development efforts and international collaborations could have strong potentials to the conservation, production and commercialization for the benefits of the local, national as well as the international communities.
Highlights
Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa between 3-15° N latitude and 33-48° E longitude
Natural gums and resins are among dry land resources in Sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia that contribute to improved livelihoods of local communities in terms of food security, industrial supply, income generation and foreign exchange earnings
This paper presents a review on natural gum and resin bearing Acacia, Boswellia and Commiphora species of Ethiopia and their potential applications in different industries and other sectors
Summary
Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa between 3-15° N latitude and 33-48° E longitude. Natural gums and resins are among dry land resources in Sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia that contribute to improved livelihoods of local communities in terms of food security, industrial supply, income generation and foreign exchange earnings. These species are the source of aromatic gum resins, frankincense and myrrh They are widely used as raw materials in several industries such as pharmacology, food, beverage, flavouring, liqueurs, cosmetics, detergents, creams and perfumery, paints, adhesive and dye manufacturing, etc. Frankincense and myrrh are phytotoxically safe raw materials in industries like pharmaceuticals and food industries They are used in folk medicines, flavoring, beverages and liqueurs, cosmetics, detergents, creams and perfumery, paints, adhesives and dyes manufacturing (Tilahun, 1997; Getachew and Wubalem, 2004).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
