In vitro propagation and biotechnological aspects of boswellia species

Abstract

The Burseraceae family is popular for resinous trees and shrubs. Boswellia is one of the prominent genera of this family, which yields the oleo-gumresin known as 'Frankincense.' Boswellia spp. are widely distributed, and the major frankincense-yielding species are B. serrata Roxb. ex Colebr. (India), B. sacra Flueck. (Arabia and Somalia), B. papyrifera (Del.) Hochst and B. frereana Birdw. (Northern Africa). The oleo-gum-resin is rich in terpenes and various phytoconstituents such as boswellic acid and its derivatives and, therefore, exhibits many health-beneficial activities. Traditionally, the gum-resin is not only used as medicine but also used in various socio-cultural events. Excessive tapping of trees and irregular harvesting of gum resin, along with grazing, forest fires, and poor seed setting, are some of the reasons jeopardizing the population of Boswellia spp. and raising the need for conservation. The present chapter deals with biotechnological interventions for the propagation of Boswellia spp. through micropropagation and the use of elicitors/endophytes and other techniques for in vitro synthesis of boswellic acid, along with analysis of genetic diversity carried out in the last three decades. © 2023 Apple Academic Press, Inc. All rights reserved.