Chromones | Sesquiterpenes | Phenolic | Flavonoids | Terpenoid
The chemical analysis of agarwood resin is essential for understanding its quality, grading, and applications in perfumery, incense, and medicine. Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.) resin is a highly complex mixture of sesquiterpenes, chromones, and other secondary metabolites that give it its unique fragrance and medicinal value.
Key Chemical Components of Agarwood Resin
- Sesquiterpenes (C₁₅H₂₄ and derivatives)
- Examples: Agarofurans, Agarospiranes, Eudesmanes, Guaianes.
- Role: Contribute to woody, balsamic, sweet aroma.
- 2-(2-Phenylethyl) Chromones
- Unique marker compounds of agarwood.
- Responsible for the deep, long-lasting fragrance.
- Phenolic Compounds & Flavonoids
- Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
- Other Volatile Compounds
- Fatty acids, alkanes, aromatics, and aldehydes.
Analytical Techniques Used
- Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)
- Identifies volatile sesquiterpenes and small aromatics.
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Separates and quantifies chromones and phenolic compounds.
- Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Identifies functional groups and verifies resin composition.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
- Structural elucidation of chromones and complex sesquiterpenes.
- UV–Vis Spectroscopy
- Detects conjugated phenolic and chromone compounds.
Applications of Chemical Profiling
- Quality grading: Differentiates high-grade vs. low-grade agarwood.
- Authentication: Prevents adulteration and confirms species origin.
- Pharmacological studies: Identifies bioactive compounds.
- Perfume industry: Profiles scent molecules for blending.