Chemical composition of volatiles extracted from indigenous tree species of Uganda: composition of bark extracts from Psorospermum febrifugum and Milicia excelsa

Trees with natural resistance to decay by pests contain extractives, which are candidates for wood preservatives. In this study, the bark of Psorospermum febrifugum Spach and Milicia excelsa Welw. was extracted with hexane, acetone, methanol, and dichloromethane by pressurized liquid extraction. The chemical analysis of the extracts was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the identified compounds were reviewed for known bioactivity. The results show that these species contain compounds with known antimicrobial activity and as such could serve for the development of antifungal wood preservatives, especially for local usage.