Abstract
Kernels of Santalum acuminatum were investigated for antimicrobial activity due to their reported medicinal use by Australian aborigines. Santalbic acid (trans- 11-octa-decen-9-ynoic acid), which is a major constituent of the oil, was an inhibitor of Gram-positive bacteria and a number of pathogenic fungi in standardised bioassays but the un-saponified oil and other kernel components were inactive.