AGARWOOD
Dasos-One Plantations Inc. is working with an effective inoculation method to reproduce the mold infestation in the plantations. The method accelerates resin formation, ensuring a robust yield of Class A Agarwood.
OVERVIEW
Agarwood (Aquilaria Malaccensis) eaglewood, oud, aloeswood, and gaharu are some of the names of the highly valuable fragrant heartwood used for nontimber purposes and produced by the Aquilaria species, which belongs to the Thymelaeaceae family. These “woods of the Gods” have been used and traded for thousands of years for making perfume, which continue to be used in cultural and religious ceremonies, and for the production of incense sticks and fragrance products. It is also used in traditional medicine. In The Philippines, it is known as Lapnisan. Agarwood is actually the trade name for these dark resinous woods
Formation
Agarwood is formed when Aquilaria trees are wounded and exposed to biotic and abiotic stresses. The infection triggers the trees defense mechanism, causing resin to be produced, which aids the trees in suppressing the growth of the microbes infecting the trees in a process known as tylosis. From the infection, the tree undergoes a biochemical reaction that produces oleoresin, which causes the color of the wood to eventually change from a lighter to a darker color, becoming what is commonly referred to as agarwood
Uses:
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Perfume and Incense: Agarwood is prized for its complex and rich aroma, making it a popular ingredient in high-end perfumes and incense.
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Traditional Medicine: In many cultures, agarwood has been used in traditional medicine for its purported therapeutic properties.
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Cultural and Religious Practices: It is often used in religious ceremonies and rituals, especially in Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic traditions.
Economic Value
Agarwood is extremely valuable, often referred to as "liquid gold." The rarity and demand for high-quality agarwood have made it one of the most expensive natural raw materials in the world.
Conservation Concerns
Due to overharvesting and the high value of agarwood, Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees are now considered threatened species. Efforts are being made to cultivate these trees sustainably and to use biotechnological methods to induce agarwood production artificially.
Grades and Quality
The quality of agarwood varies significantly, depending on the resin content, age, and other factors. High-grade agarwood is dark, dense, and has a rich, complex fragrance, while lower grades may be lighter and less aromatic.
Today, the existence of legal source for Agarwood comes only from registered plantations. In the Philippines, there are still cases of poaching native agarwood which does not constitute to the sustainability of the specie. Without a certified legal source seedlings, Agarwood in the Philippines, weather planted or naturally grown, can never be legally sold. Hence, purchasing Agarwood seedlings will also have legal sanctions when not purchased through an accredited entity.
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Dasos-One Plantations Inc, (DOPI) is a DENR (Department of Environmental Resources) registered plantation that have secured authorization to propagate, harvest and process Agarwood and byproducts. We are proud to be one of the first plantations to have legal rights granted by the authorities. Our main plantation of Agarwood is in Brooke’s Point, in the heart of Palawan province; which is a biodiversity haven, making it perfect for culturing Agarwood.
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