Chemical Induction | SaltShock™ | Formulation | Development | Profile
The chemical composition of agarwood resin induced with sodium chloride (NaCl) as an inoculant shows some distinct characteristics due to the osmotic stress and salt-induced physiological responses it triggers in Aquilaria malaccensis. While not as biochemically complex as microbial inoculants, NaCl stress still stimulates resin biosynthesis pathways.
Key Chemical Constituents from NaCl-Induced Agarwood Resin:
1. 2-(2-Phenylethyl) Chromones
- Primary marker compounds of high-quality agarwood.
- Levels may be lower than biologically induced resin but still present.
- Stress-responsive metabolites triggered by dehydration and ion imbalance.
2. Sesquiterpenes
- Moderate levels of:
- α-Guaiene
- δ-Guaiene
- Selinene derivatives
- NaCl stress promotes mevalonate pathway activation, which leads to sesquiterpene production.
3. Phenolic and Benzenoid Compounds
- Vanillin, syringaldehyde, eugenol – contribute to sweet, woody notes.
- Induced through general stress-related metabolic upregulation.
4. Fatty Acids and Alcohol Derivatives
- Some oxidized fatty acid traces due to membrane degradation from salt stress.
- May influence aroma depth but also indicate tissue injury.
5. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)–Related Compounds
- ROS is elevated under salt stress, which leads to:
- Lipid peroxidation by-products
- Enhanced defense-related metabolite synthesis
Summary Table: Chemical Profile – NaCl vs. Other Inoculants
| Compound Type | Detected in NaCl Resin | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chromones | Present, moderate levels | Triggered by salt-induced stress |
| Sesquiterpenes | Present, moderate | Slightly lower than microbial methods |
| Phenolics | Vanillin, syringaldehyde | Sweet aroma notes |
| ROS Metabolites | Elevated | Linked to cell membrane stress |
| Triterpenes | Rare | Less common with chemical-only methods |
Insight:
- NaCl inoculation mimics drought/salt stress, which activates defensive metabolic pathways leading to resin formation.
- The chemical profile may lack some of the complexity of biologically induced agarwood, but it can still produce market-acceptable resin, especially in combination with enhancers like brown sugar or phytohormones.