## 3 Discussion  
### Volatile Constituents of Kernel Oil  
According to the International Standards Organisation, a single organic compound like limonene is not an essential oil but rather a volatile organic compound commonly found in essential oils [4]. This distinction, termed 'essential oil component' by [10], is crucial. Essential oils are thus mixtures of volatile organic compounds obtained through distillation from aromatic species, including bryophytes like liverworts and higher plants. Studies on volatile constituents or compounds of _Sclerocarya birrea_ kernels are scarce; however, the identification and quantification of volatile compounds not only defines the aroma profile of marula seed oil but also helps in understanding its potential sensory attributes as well as its potential in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly the multibillion USD cosmetics industry. Comparing with other studies, the work of [11] previously profiled 49 compounds, of which 96% were sesquiterpenes, albeit from the leaves. Only four sesquiterpenes were reported in the present study while alcohols and aldehydes dominated the profiles. The aroma profile, characterised by a balance of sweet, floral, and fruity notes, can be attributed largely to alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and terpenes reported in the present work, and more specifically, constituents such as1-Hexanol, Trans-2-hexenal, 2-Nonanone, and limonene [4; 12]. These compounds were analysed for their concentration and impact on the overall fragrance, providing valuable information for applications in cosmetics and aromotherapy. In the present study, we presented some of the most common antimicrobial preservatives in the industry, including numerous individual alcohols, phenols, ketones, terpenes, and aldehydes, among others [13]. The role of alcohols in industry and pharmacology are diverse, for example, 1-butanol, which we report in the present study, is extensively used as an artificial flavour additive in the food and beverage industries, as well as a crucial solvent, chemical intermediate, and extractant in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals [14]. Furthermore, this compound is employed in the synthesis of butyl acrylate and methacrylate esters for latex coatings, enamels, and lacquers, as well as in producing butyl glycol ether, butyl acetate, and plasticisers. Additionally, it serves as a diluent in brake fluid formulation and as a solvent in the production of hormones, vitamins, and antibiotics [14]. As such, marula volatile compounds are a promising source of fuel, medicine, and food components. Aldehydes are highly reactive and toxic chemicals used in industry and derived from alcohol through dehydrogenation [15]. None-the-less, although some aldehydes such as \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Component (Methyl Esters)** & **Abbreviation** & **Concentration (mg/g)** \\ \hline \({}^{*}\)\(\alpha\)-Linolenic acid & C18:3n3 & 1.37 \\ \({}^{*}\)Linoleic acid & C18:2 (cis) & 55.54 \\ \hline Palmitic acid & C16 & 81.072 \\ Palmitoleic acid & C16:1 & 0.994 \\ Oleic acid & C18:1 (cis) & 521.61 \\ \hline Laurtic acid & C12 & 0.181 \\ Heptadecanoic acid & C17 & 0.877 \\ Stearic acid & C18 & 42.45 \\ Arachidic acid & C20 & 3.46 \\ cis-11-Eicosenoic acid & C20:1 & 1.37 \\ Henicosanoic acid & C21 & 0.008 \\ Behenic acid & C22 & 0.794 \\ Tricosanoic acid & C23 & 0.082 \\ Lignoercic acid & C24 & 0.863 \\ Myristic acid & C14 & 0.354 \\ Pentadecanoic acid & C15 & 0.076 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} \({}^{*}\)Essential fatty acids1.  
\end{table} 
Table 2: _Sclerocarya birrea_ kernel fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) constituents. decanal and octanal are used as perfume components, they have been shown to exhibit inhibitory and bactericidal effects on _Escherichia coli_, _Staphylococcus aureus_, _Saccharomyces cerevisiae_, and _Aspergillus niger_[16]. This further establishes marula kernel oils as valuable in the development of new organic medicinal interventions in the face of ever-increasing drug-resistant pathogens.