Chemical | WoodWorthy™ | WoodWorthy™ Formulation | WoodWorthy™ Development | WoodWorthy™ Profile
Agarwood resin induced with magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) shows a distinct chemical profile influenced by ionic stress, osmotic imbalance, and magnesium’s role as a cofactor in enzymatic reactions related to secondary metabolism. Though less studied than iron or microbial inoculants, magnesium chloride has been observed to trigger moderate resin development in Aquilaria malaccensis.
Chemical Analysis of Agarwood Resin Induced by Magnesium Chloride
| Compound Category | Presence and Role |
|---|---|
| 2-(2-Phenylethyl) Chromones | ✅ Present – moderate concentration. Stress-responsive and key resin biomarkers. |
| Sesquiterpenes | ✅ Moderate amounts (e.g., α-guaiene, δ-guaiene, agarofurans). |
| Phenolic Compounds | ✅ Mild presence – vanillin, eugenol. Stress indicators but less complex than Fusarium. |
| Flavonoids and Tannins | ✅ May increase slightly due to antioxidant response to ionic imbalance. |
| Magnesium-Associated Enzymes | ✅ Triggered pathways may support enhanced chromone biosynthesis. |
| ROS-Related Metabolites | ✅ Increased ROS leads to lipid peroxidation and signal cascades promoting resinification. |
Key Features:
- Chromones and sesquiterpenes dominate the profile.
- The quality of resin tends to be medium-grade, depending on tree age and stress duration.
- Magnesium helps activate stress-response enzymes and defense mechanisms, indirectly leading to resin production.
Notable Differences (Compared to FeCl₃ and NaCl):
- Less oxidative than FeCl₃, but more stable in long-term stress.
- More enzymatically active than NaCl, promoting biosynthesis over just cellular breakdown.
- Doesn’t offer as complex a profile as Fusarium, but yields usable resin for commercial processing.
Timeline of Agarwood Resin Development by Inoculant
| Inoculant | Week 2 | Week 4 | Week 6 | Week 8 | Week 10+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fusarium oxysporum | ◉◉◉ | ◉◉◉◉ | ◉◉◉◉ | ◉◉◉◉ | ◉◉◉◉ |
| FeCl₃ (Ferric Chloride) | ◉◉ | ◉◉◉ | ◉◉◉◉ | ◉◉◉◉ | ◉◉◉◉ |
| MnO₂ (Manganese Oxide) | ◯ | ◉ | ◉◉ | ◉◉◉ | ◉◉◉◉ |
| MgCl₂ (Magnesium Chl.) | ◯ | ◯ | ◉ | ◉◉ | ◉◉◉ |
| NaCl (Sodium Chloride) | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ◉ | ◉◉ |
Legend:
◉= Visible resin formation◯= No significant resin- More
◉s = Heavier or more developed resin response
Summary:
- Fusarium triggers early and sustained resin production.
- Ferric chloride follows closely with strong induction and dark resin.
- Magnesium and sodium chloride are much slower and produce less intense resin.
- Manganese oxide builds more gradually but yields good quality after 2+ months.