One way of extracting Agar oil

There are several ways to extract agar oil. This is just a way followed by a farmer. The farmer is showing his small scale agar industry. This taken from Sylhet division of Bangladesh.

 

Chipping the tree

  

Keeping it in water for at least two months

From water tank it is taken to boiler

His only boiler

Collecting agar oil

Stored in bottles

Extracting the resinous agarwood

Agarwood Use and Trade And Cites implementation for Aquilaria Maleccensis

Click here to download this file. This is a TRAFFFIC publication.

Useful Links

1) www.therainforestproject.net

2) http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0917e/A0917e08.htm

3) www.forestpathology.cfans.umn.edu/agarwood.htm

4) www.scentedmountain.com

5) www.cultivatedagarwood.com

6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M5KvN1dkh8

Interesting facts about Agarwood

 

Lord Buddha was to have said that the smell of agarwood burning "is the scent of Nirvana". It is also a favorite of Lord Krishna, being mentioned throughout the oldest written texts - the Sanskrit Vedas. 

 
Agarwood has also been used in nearly every religious tradition around the world and revered for thousands of years by many cultures as the most treasured incense ingredient. It was agarwood and Myrrh that was burned at Jesus' burial ceremony.

 
Ayurvedic, Arabic, Sufi, Unanai, Tibetan and Chinese physicians have all used agarwood in their practice to treat various diseases including mental illness.

 
The Indian poet Kalidasa once wrote: "Beautiful ladies, preparing themselves for the feast of pleasures, cleanse themselves with the yellow powder of sandal, clear and pure, freshen their breasts with pleasant aromas, and suspend their dark hair in the smoke of burning agarwood." 

 
King Louis XIV of France had his shirts washed in rose water in which agarwood had been previously boiled. 

 
Samurai warriors scented their armour with agarwood smoke for luck before going to battle.

 
Egyptians used agarwood to embalm and anoint the dead.

 
This is the legendary "tree from the garden of Eden" where Adam and Eve were only allowed to take cuttings from the agarwood tree. 

 
"Gold is just dust when still in the ground, and oud, in its country of origin, is just another kind of firewood." Eighth-century Egyptian poet Muhammad Ibn Idris al-Shafi'I

Products of Agarwood

Agarwood Chips

Agarwood oil

Agarwood Powder

 

Agarwood Candle

 

Agarwood Beads

Agarwood Beads Bracelet

Agarwood Incense

Agarwood Soap

 

Agarwood Facial

Cultivate Agarwood with latest technology

 

The source of Agarwood is the Aquilaria (agar) tree. This evergreen tree bears flowers that are sweetly scented.

Agarwood is a highly prized incense that is extremely rare. It has at least a 3000-year history in the Middle East, China and Japan.

Since ages our people has knowledge and experience of agarwood and agar oil in Bangladesh.

“Current levels of exploitation for forest may be a significant factor in increasing their threat of extinction. For years, trees of the genus Aquilaria have been the principle source of Agarwood, (also called eaglewood, gaharu, aloeswood amongst others), one of the most valuable forest products traded internationally. Trees can produce Agarwood are found throughout South and Southeast Asia from India to as far east as Papua New Guinea.” (Ref.: CITES, thirteenth meeting of the Plants Committee, Geneva (Switzerland), 12^th-15^th August 2003)

Agarwood is used in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurvedic, Tibetan and Traditional East Asian medicine and its fragrance makes it a popular ingredient of perfumes. Agarwood is also burned to create incense for example in India, Japan and the Middle East. Less commonly, it can be used as an insect repellent and as an ingredient in wine. (Ref.: CITES, thirteenth meeting of the Plants Committee, Geneva (Switzerland), 12^th-15^th August 2003)

Recently aromatherapy using agarwood has become very popular in USA and Europe.

Agarwood chips and segments may sell for several hundred to several thousand US dollars per kilogramme. The price of oil distilled from Agarwood is generally between five and ten thousand US dollars per kilogramme, but can be significantly more for Agarwood oil exceptionally high quality. (Ref.: CITES, thirteenth meeting of the Plants Committee, Geneva (Switzerland), 12^th-15^th August 2003)

(Note: This price is applicable for natural Agarwood only).

(a) Natural Process:

When infected by certain fungi, Aquilaria trees, amongst others, produce Agarwood, the greatest volumes of resin being found in trees aged 50 years or more. However, as only infected trees produce Agarwood; uninfected trees are of negligible commercial value. If Agarwood is present, it exists in unpredictable quantities and qualities that can only be fully determined once the tree has been split open, this result in many trees being felled needlessly thus causing drastic declines in wild populations. (Ref.: CITES, thirteenth meeting of the Plants Committee, Geneva (Switzerland), 12^th-15^th August 2003)

(b) Traditional method:

In various parts of the world even today people try different methods by injuring the tree artificially to obtain Agarwood and Agar oil. These methods make the mortality rate of the plant very high.

In Bangladesh, what is traditionally tried by the farmers is the nailing method. But very little, low

grade and contaminated agar oil can be extracted from this method. Besides this method can only be

practiced in full monsoon.

In natural forests, illegal poaching has resulted in making trees endangered. International organizations such as  CITES, IUCN, TRAFFIC, FAO & EC etc. have mounted efforts and at the moment playing active role in preserving this endangered species.

European based TRP has undertaken a project whose concept is people based nature conservation and sponsored by the European Commission.

TRP is working on economically and environmentally sustainable Agarwood development.

A successful method including of resin formation in young plantation growth trees has been developed and the process is continually being refined and optimized with ongoing research with TRP cooperator and wood microbiologist Prof. Robert Blanchette, University of Minnesota, USA. (Ref.: The rainforest Project www.therainforestproject.net).

Most importantly, experiments showed that TRP was able to induce Agarwood in planted trees, up to ten-times faster then in nature and in much higher quantities.( Ref.: The rainforest Project www.therainforestproject.net).

(Note: In much higher quantities means compared to other traditional methods such as nailing, axe wounding, etc. practiced around the world).

Between November 10^th and 15^th 2003, Prof. Robert A. Blanchette announced his success in First International Agarwood Conference which was held in Vietnam organized by TRP.

Over 80 delegates attended from a multitude of backgrounds and countries. During two days of presentations in Ho Chi Minh City, chemists, forest pathologists, molecular biologists, pharmacologists, business people, government officials, forestry extension and conservation experts, perfumers, incense manufacturers, and aroma therapists exchanged ideas on wide-ranging topics.

(Ref.: The rainforest Project www.therainforestproject.net).

Among these 80 delegates, representatives of CITES, IUCN, TRAFFIC, FAO & EC etc. were present. 

Second International Conference was held in Bangkok from March 4 to 11, 2007 at Kasetsart University, organized by TRP and sponsored by CITES, TRAFFIC, IUCN, FAO and EC etc.

Opinion of FAO regarding First International Agarwood Conference:

“This conference will follow up on the experience and the feedback of the hugely successful First International Agarwood Conference, held at Viet Nam in November 2003.”

Also in Second International Agarwood Conference, Agarwood (inducement) production technology (i.e. CA Kit technology) was discussed along with other topics. (Ref.: FAO Corporate Document Repository).

Prof. Robert A. Blanchette presented 1^st generation CA Kits in First International Agarwood Conference and improved 2^nd generation CA Kits in Second International Agarwood Conference and was discussed.

CA Kits has been successfully used in numerous countries including Bhutan, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam for many years.

The CA Kit uses pharmaceutical grade gelatin capsules filled with non harmful inorganic compounds which do not contaminate soil or plants. These compounds are used in many fields including food production and water treatment and meet Europeans, USA, and WHO environmental safety requirements.

After several field tests, Prof. Robert Blanchette came up with improved 3^rd generation CA Kit which was formally announced in a seminar held on 16^th May, 2008 at Borolekha, Moulvibazar, Bangladesh.

This is the only scientifically tested and patented technology available at present.

Uses  of CA Kit technology in user countries has enriched rural economy by creating employment opportunity in the field of seed collection, plantation, garden maintenance, CA Kits inoculation, plant harvesting, agar chips production, agar oil production, management and marketing etc.

Also created a profitable investment opportunity for the investors and earned valuable foreign currency for those countries.

The invention of this technology has helped conservation of endangered Aquilaria species in user countries, besides more plantations has resulted in environment improvement.

Since ages the people of Sujanagar union under Borolekha upazila of Moulvibazar district in Sylhet division have been familiar and experienced with agar extraction, chips production and oil extraction in traditional nailing method.

Naturally formed agarwood is hardly available as very rarely it is formed in trees. But very little, low grade agar oil can be extracted from any agar tree.

Among those who extract agar oil, there is a small group of factory owners who extracts agar oil from white agar wood only. (Note: In such tress neither naturally agar was formed nor any technology had been applied).

These factory owners do not follow the nailing method as their ancestors never did. They consider it to be as an act of sin because agar oil is also used for medicinal purpose. They believe that the rust of iron which is found due to the nailing method actually contaminates the agar oil.

After the announcement of 3^rd generation CA Kit by Prof. Robert Blanchette, in a seminar held on 16^th May, 2008 at Borolekha, Moulvibazar, Bangladesh, several people decided not to apply nailing method to their trees. They are anxiously waiting for CA Kits to be available in the market.

Even before the seminar, the local farmers were aware of the CA Kits from sources of BRAC and SQUARE. Also some of the factory owners of Moulvibazar were trying to get the patent of CA Kits.

In fact   Most of the factory owners and traders travel around South East Asia, Middle East and they have come to know about the market demand of CA Kits applied products.  At present, extracting agar oil from trees in which nailing method has been applied is practiced by some factory owners. Because, in this way slightly more and a bit better quality agar oil is achieved compared to oil extracted from white agar wood.

During the period of 1998 to 2004, the govt. of Bangladesh has experimentally and successfully planted agar trees in 785.67 hectares of land. (Ref.  book-Agar- Experimental Agar production Project-published by Department of Forest under the Ministry of Environment and Forest).

Looking at the successful result of previous experimental plantation, another program for planting 6.5 million of agar plants was taken up. . (Ref. book-Agar Bonayon- published by Department of Forest under the Ministry of Environment and Forest).

The total amount of money invested in the experimental agar plantation project was Tk.-2.9 crore only. At present the market value of this project is Tk.-380 crore.

Presently agar industry provides employment of 10 lac working days. And if there is a planned way of agar plantation then it will provide employment of at least 30 crore working days and will earn foreign currency of at least Tk-500 crore. . (Ref.  book-Agar- Experimental Agar production Project-published by Department of Forest under the Ministry of Environment and Forest).

Appropriate technology such as CA Kit technology if adopted then employment opportunity and foreign currency earning will increase. Moreover usage of this technology confirms 100% Agar formation in Aquilaria trees. This technology also ensures better quality and more quantity of Agarwood and Agar oil than any other method/technology at present. It reduces the time duration of harvesting.

Agarwood

Agarwood

1. Introduction

Agarwood is a highly prized incense that is extremely rare. It has at least a 3000-year history in the Middle East, China and Japan.

The resin is used by Traditional Chinese, Unani, Ayurvedic and Tibetan physicians. Used medicinally, Agarwood is a remedy for nervous disorders such as neurosis, obsessive behavior and exhaustion. Agarwood is highly psychoactive and is used in spiritual rituals.

Chinese medicine uses powdered Agarwood as a treatment for cirrhosis of the liver and as a director or focuser for other medicines. It has also been used as a treatment for lung and stomach problems. Internal use of the powdered wood is supposed to enhance Chi or body energy. Asa perfume ingredient, Agarwood (oud) is sought after and purchased by perfume houses worldwide as an essential component of some of their high-class perfume. Day by day the use of Agar is increasing worldwide in aroma therapy.

The source of Agarwood is the Aquilaria tree.This evergreen tree bears flowers that are sweetly scented.

Cultivated Agarwood LLC based in the USA provides patented inducement technology to cultivate Agarwood on plantations in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. This technology will keep the global multi-billion dollar annual Agarwood market supplied with a better product made in a highly efficient process.

This precious, naturally occurring product is now on the verge of disappearing from its tropical forest habitats because of indiscriminate and destructive harvesting. Cultivated Agarwood produced with CA kits^® is the only feasible, legal and sustainable alternative.

The University of Minnesota (UMN) and The Rainforest Project Foundation (TRP) have jointly developed this patented technology. CA LLC owns the exclusive, worldwide Cultivated Agarwood technology license, which includes rights to possible future improvements.CA LLC has complete control on commercializing this technology in any conceivable way including sub-licensing.

CA LLC is pleased to have just signed the ^6th country exclusive Cultivated Agarwood Technology license in Bangladesh with Khwaja Agri- Horticultural Research Centre.

CA LLC is actively selling CA kit^s' sold in SE- Asia region and now have agreements in places in Australia, Bangladesh, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

2.     Plantation development and products

The Aquilaria tree is an evergreen that grows up to 40 meters high a imeters in diameter. Generally, Aquilaria and Gyrinops grow on all kinds of soils including poor soils, and from a few meters above sea level to altitudes up to 1000 to 1500 meters depending on species. Best growth is achieved at around 500 meters above the sea level. The trees grown in tropical (rain forest) habitat, with 1800 ml. or more rainfall is considered better. It can grow and survive on plain land but not in water logged condition. The number of trees varies between 900-1100 (depending on spacing) in one hectare.

Trees with a minimum DBH of 10 cm can be applied CA kit Trees grown from high quality seedlings under best possible circumstances can reach this size within five years.

The average age of the trees at harvest time is 6 to 9 years (depending on the country and environmental conditions). Recent innovations have allowed harvests as early as 15 months after CA Kit applications.

The harvested products are a mix of very high quality black yellow and high-medium quality Agarwood .From these Agarwood chips, better quality of oil and incense stick, powder can be produced.

3.     Present Scenario

Natural Formation

Agarwood is the woody part of Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees containing resin. Agarwood only rarely and infrequently occurs in those tree species. Wounding tree triggers resin formation. This resin in Aquilaria or Gyrinops tree forms very slowly and fills areas around the wound(s) to fend off microbial invasion.

In natural forest conditions, trees rarely produce Agerwood and the very few trees that do produce, it produce exceedingly small amounts. Since it takes so long (decades) to form quality Agarwood, demand for Agarwood is much greater than the supply.

Induced Formation:

Simple wounding techniques are being used to induce small amounts of low grade Agarwood in countries such as Bangladesh, Lao PDR, India, Vietnam and others. Axe wounds, severe bark removal, nailing and other types of wounding are being applied. These methods only yield small amounts of low quality resin and due to their low yield, these methods lead to destruction of many trees.

Cultivated Agarwood in plantations with CA Kit

The technology to cultivate Agarwood in defined plantations was developed by Prof. Robert Blanchette at the University of Minnesota, USA working with Henry Heuveling van Beek of TRP (The Rainforest Project Foundation) - and currently CA LLC.

UMN and CA LLC consultants and Staff are also conducting Agarwood projects and research investigations in Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Vietnam.

The technology consists of a CA kit-per-tree treatment containing special tubes and capsules filled with a non-hazardous chemical compound. The size of CA kit^e depends on the DBH and height of the tree.An Agar tree having its minimum size of 10 cm diameter in breast height is fit for kit application.

1^st Generation process:

1^st generation process was developed in 1996-97, using different methods of wounding along with a variety of biological agents such as fungi and other compounds. However, while superior to previously known inducement methods, UMN/TRP research and hundreds of field tests showed limited amounts of resin formation and inconsistent results with this early technology.

2^nd Generation Process:

Excellent results were obtained when 2^nd generation technology was tested: Holes are drilled into the tree in a particular pattern, gel capsules are applied with resin-inducing compounds and special PVC tubes are inserted for aeration to remain in the tree while Agarwood resin forms. Complete installation takes about 20-30 minutes per tree by an experienced crew.

CA LLC has designed and manufactured the Agarwood inducement kit, CA Kit^e, which is available to CA LLC licensees. The application will vary according to tree size and the diameter at breast height, DBH of the tree. Kits are provided in standard sizes or specific bulk packs to treat larger trees.

3^rd Generation Process:

A 3^rd generation advanced inducement technology is now developed with a special booster treatment, which can be applied 9 - 12 months after the initial treatment to maximize resin formation. Harvesting can be initiated 6 to 10 months after the booster treatment. Trees, which are allowed to grow longer, are expected to produce higher quality Agarwood.

4. Technology Comparison:

CA LLC Agarwood inducement technology is without doubt the highest yielding, lowest cost and certified treatment available. It produces Agarwood in 100% of all Agarwood growing tree specie anywhere in the world. With more than 14 years of research experience, Cultivated Agarwood technology stands out as the most cost efficient technology capable of large-scale Agarwood production.

This patented technology is an easy to use Agarwood cultivation process, and unique in its approach and application. More Agarwood can be formed in a shorter period and at a lower cost. CA-LLC uses the entire tree to form Agarwood; it is the least labor intensive and the highest yielding method for producing Agarwood.

A comparative study

Simple Inducement Nailing Technology	3rd GENERATION CA technology
Only low yields	Highest possible yields
Commercially not viable	Commercially viable
High cost/ low return	Medium cost/ high return
High labor intensity	Low labor intensive
Simple application	Easy application
Technology free	Medium cost manufacture
Training Simple	Training easy
More then 36 months	Duration 12-24 months
Not certified	Will be certified
Applied .	Applied commercially
Scientifically tested	Scientifically tested

5. Market:

The traditional markets for Agarwood and Agarwood products are in specific countries with high end markets predominantly in the Middle East, particularly in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Korea and in emerging markets such as Europe and the USA. As certified, environmentally acceptable Agarwood becomes more available. The USA and Europe markets will likely see an increase in cultivated Agarwood consumption for use in personal care product, aroma therapy, incense, and use as traditional medicine. High quality oil will be used more by perfumers as the amount available increases.