A review of commercial gums and gum resins resources in Kenya: taxonomy, ecology and distribution

Abstract

Gums and resins are among the natural resources in Kenya with potential for generating wealth and uplifting the living standards of the local communities in the drylands. The quality of Kenyan gums and resins is however affected by various factors that include, botanical origin and mixing of different species. Effort is therefore required to address issues related to improvement and production of commodities from these resources, among them, correct species identification. The objectives of this study are to identify by botanical and local names and describe; plants that produce commercial gums and resins, their ecological preference and distribution; species that are most similar to and likely to be confused with them and other species that produce similar gums or resins that could be possible adulterants. The study area was Northern Kenya and involved field discussions and site visits with gums and resins collectors and traders and examination of collected products at collection centers. Commercial gum arabic is obtained from Acacia senegal or A. seyal while gum resins are myrrh from Commiphora myrrha, hagar from C. holtziana and frankincense from Boswellia neglecta. Species that are likely to be confused with A. senegal are A. condyloclada, A. hamulosa, A. ogadensis, and A. thomasii while those likely to be confused with A. seyal are A. zanzibarica, A. xanthophloea and A. hockii. Possible adulterants of gum arabic are A. paolii and A. mellifera while resins are usually adulterated with C. africana, Commiphora confusa, C. habessinica, C. schimperi, C. pseudopaolii, C. kua var. gowlello and C. incisa.