Whole-tree Agarwood-Inducing Technique: An Efficient Novel Technique for Producing High-Quality Agarwood in Cultivated Aquilaria sinensis Trees

Abstract

Abstract:Agarwood is the fragrant resin-infused wood derived from the wounded trees of Aquilaria species. It is a valuable non-timber forest product used in fragrances and as medicine. Reforestation for Aquilaria trees in combination with artificial agarwood-inducing methods serves as a way to supply agarwood and conserve of wild Aquilaria stock. However, the existing agarwood-inducing methods produce poor-quality agarwood at low yield. Our study evaluated a novel technique for producing agarwood in cultivated Aquilaria trees, called the whole-tree agarwood-inducing technique (Agar-Wit). Ten different agarwood inducers were used for comparison of Agar-Wit with three existing agarwood-inducing methods. For Aquilaria trees treated with these ten inducers, agarwood formed and spread throughout the entire tree from the transfusion point in the trunk to the roots and branches of the whole tree. Agarwood yield per tree reached 2,444.83 to 5,860.74 g, which is 4 to 28 times higher than that by the existing agarwood-inducing methods. Furthermore, this agarwood derived from Agar-Wit induction was found to have a higher OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2013, 18 3087 quality compared with the existing methods, and similar to that of wild agarwood. This indicates Agar-Wit may have commercial potential. Induction of cultivated agarwood using this method could satisfy the significant demand for agarwood, while conserving and protecting the remaining wild Aquilaria trees.

History of Use and Trade of Agarwood

“…were classified as being critically endangered with Ban extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.Î n recognition of the dwindling state of agarwood resources (Newton and Soehartono 2001) (CITES 2017). The high prices paid for agarwood products have stimulated activity in the cultivation of the tree (Hoang Ha and Nghi 2011) and renewed interest in artificial stimulation of agarwood formation (Liu et al 2013;Rasool and Mohamed 2016;Zhang et al 2012). These initiatives are considered to potentially create alternative sources of agarwood and increase the availability of agarwood product in the marketplace (Nakashima et al 2005;Persoon 2008).…”

“…The demand for and trade in agarwood continues today, and with increasing wealth in consumer countries over recent decades, demand exceeds supply (Barden et al 2000;Chakrabarty et al 1994;Compton and Ishihara 2006). This has resulted in increased prices (Wyn and Anak 2010), natural resource decline (Zhang et al 2008), reduction in product quality (Antonopoulou et al 2010), increasing interest in cultivation (Hoang Ha and Nghi 2011;Page and Awarau 2012;Persoon 2008;Rahman et al 2015), and developing methods for resin induction (Liu et al 2013;Mohamed et al 2014;Persoon 2008). We endeavor to put a historical context to the current interest in agarwood by reviewing its use and trade and examining the reasons for its high esteem and economic value.…”

Moisture content effect on sound wave velocity and acoustic tomograms in agarwood trees (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.)

“…The fungal strain that was used was known to be good for producing agarwood (Iskandar and Suhendra, 2012;Siburian et al, 2013). Agarwood trees that have been deliberately infected show agarwood formation within 3 months of the induction (Liu et al, 2013;Chong et al, 2015). The agarwood is characterized by a dark area that appears inside the trunk, and an area with very dark color corresponds to a high amount of agarwood.…”

“…Agarwood-producing species are found only in areas from India eastward throughout Southeast Asia and in southern China, with Indonesia and Malaysia being the two major countries for agarwood production (Liu et al, 2013). Agarwood has long been important in many commodities such as medicine, perfume, and toiletry products such as soap and shampoo.…”

“…Agarwood is collected primarily as timber, and it is traded in various forms, including chunks, particles, and powders. Sesquiterpenoid is the primary chemical component identified in agarwood, while agarospirol, jinkohol, and chromone contribute to its characteristic aroma (Ishihara et al, 1991;Liu et al, 2013). Detection of agarwood formation in standing trees, which have a high MC or green condition, has been studied using the acoustic-based NDT tool by several researchers (Ahmad et al, 2012;Indahsuary et al, 2014;Karlinasari et al, 2015).…”