CLASSIFICATION OF AGARWOOD (GAHARU) BY RESIN CONTENT

Agarwood or gaharu is a fragrant resinous heartwood that can develop in diseased trees from the genus Aquilaria (Thymelaeaceae). The wood is often classified into various grades according to the colour, density, gaharu formation and scent. These parameters are very subjective and depend on individual perception. In this study, several grades of gaharu wood from natural sources and inoculated materials were evaluated for resin content and the data classified using Z-score transformation technique. The results demonstrated that resin content could be used as a guide for the classification of gaharu, thus assisting the industry to reduce bias judgement among traders. Gaharu merupakan teras kayu beresin dan berbau wangi yang boleh terbentuk di dalam pokok berpenyakit daripada genus Aquilaria (Thymelaeaceae). Kayu gaharu kerap dikelaskan kepada beberapa gred berdasarkan warna, ketumpatan, pembentukan gaharu dan bau. Parameter ini sangat subjektif dan bergantung kepada persepsi individu. Dalam kajian ini, beberapa gred kayu gaharu daripada sumber semula jadi dan bahan inokulasi dinilai kandungan resinnya dan datanya dikelaskan menggunakan teknik transformasi skor-Z. Keputusan menunjukkan yang kandungan resin boleh dijadikan panduan dalam pengelasan gaharu. Ini dapat membantu industri mengurangkan kekeliruan penggredan di kalangan pedagang.