The effect of Co-60-gamma radio-sterilization on Boswellia carterii essential oil composition

Abstract

Background and objectives: Gamma-irradiation is used vastly for both decontamination and sterilization of natural products; but these high-energy rays can affect heat-sensitive essential oils. Methods: The oleo-gum-resin of Boswellia carterii (Burseraceae) was sterilized by gamma-irradiation at dose 30 KGy. The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of non-irradiated Boswellia (NIB) and irradiated Boswellia (IB) were analyzed by GC/MS and the changes were compared. The structure of octyl acetate as the major component and marker of B. carterii was confirmed by MS/MS. Results: Twenty-five compounds comprising 99.55 of NIB oil and nineteen compounds comprising 98.61 of IB oil were identified. Major constituents which were common for both oils were octyl acetate (52.67 in NIB, 76.51 in IB), 1-octanol (6.37 in NIB, 5.19 in IB), duva-4, 8, 13-triene-1,3 alpha diol (5.52 in NIB, 3.94 in IB), verticiol (13.63 in NIB) and verticillane type diterpene (5.4 in IB) they made up 78.19 and 91.04 of NIB and IB, respectively. Conclusion: Gamma irradiation was an efficient method for sterilization of Boswellia carterii oleo-gum resin, but it resulted in change in the essential oil composition particularly octyl acetate changed from 52.67 to 76.51.