Here’s a detailed guide on identifying adulterated or fake agarwood, which is critical for protecting resin quality, buyer trust, and market value:
1. Common Forms of Adulteration / Fake Agarwood
- Non-Aquilaria wood dyed or treated
- Wood from other tree species colored to resemble agarwood.
- Synthetic resin or resin-impregnated wood
- Cheap resins applied to low-quality wood to mimic dark, aromatic streaks.
- Mixed sapwood or low-grade wood sold as premium
- Light-colored or non-resinous wood mixed with resin-rich heartwood.
- Powder adulteration
- Agarwood powder blended with sawdust, sand, or synthetic additives.
2. Identification Techniques
A. Visual Inspection
- Color & grain: Genuine agarwood has dark streaks in a natural pattern within lighter heartwood; dye or paint may appear uniform or unnatural.
- Surface texture: Natural resin zones are dense and slightly oily; fake resin may look plastic-like or brittle.
- Sapwood presence: Overuse of sapwood to increase weight indicates low-grade or adulterated material.
B. Aroma Test
- Genuine agarwood has a complex, sweet-balsamic, woody scent when rubbed or gently heated.
- Fakes may smell chemical, artificial, or lack depth.
- Smoke test (burn a small piece): real agarwood produces thick aromatic smoke, whereas fakes may burn quickly with unpleasant odor.
C. Density / Hardness Test
- Real resin-rich agarwood is heavier and harder than non-resinous or fake wood.
- Tap or cut a small section; genuine wood feels dense and resistant, while adulterated wood may be light or soft.
D. Microscopic / Laboratory Tests
- Chemical profiling (GC-MS / HPLC): Detects authentic resin compounds such as agarol, jinkohol, or agarospirol.
- Microscopy: Reveals resin distribution and natural wood structures not present in fakes.
- Moisture / ash content: Deviations from standard ranges may indicate adulteration.
E. Provenance / Documentation Check
- Verify farm, harvest date, and chain of custody.
- Lack of documentation or vague source increases risk of counterfeit wood.
3. Red Flags for Adulteration
| Red Flag | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Uniformly dark wood | May be dyed or chemically treated |
| Plasticky or brittle texture | Resin artificially applied |
| Weak or chemical odor | Lacks natural aromatic compounds |
| Excessive sapwood in premium batch | Low-grade wood sold as high-grade |
| Unverified source or documentation | No traceable farm or harvest records |
4. Best Practices to Avoid Adulteration
- Buy from trusted suppliers with farm-to-market traceability.
- Cross-check samples visually, aromatically, and by density before large purchases.
- Use small lab tests (chemical or microscopic) for high-value orders.
- Train staff and buyers in visual and olfactory identification techniques.
- Keep detailed records of all harvested and processed wood for authenticity verification.
Key Principle: Genuine agarwood is dense, resin-rich, aromatic, and traceable. Awareness of visual, aromatic, and physical cues combined with documentation and lab verification helps prevent purchasing adulterated or fake material.
I can also create a diagram showing real vs. fake agarwood features, including color patterns, resin distribution, density, and aroma cues, ideal for a training or buyer-awareness manual.
Do you want me to make that diagram?