Aquil@Guyane: Scientific and technical basis for the creation of a supply chain for top-of-the-range “Aquilaria (Agarwood)” essential oils and by-products in French Guiana

This project is in response to a request from a group of farmers in French Guiana, originally from Laos, to be able to grow trees of the genus Aquilaria (native to Southeast Asia) whose oleoresin contained in its wood and molecules contained in its leaves are of high economic value.

Date de début de projet

01/01/2017

Date de fin du projet

31/12/2018

Objectives

The project involves determining the scientific and technical basis for setting up a supply chain for the production of top-of-the-range “Aquilaria (Agarwood)” essential oils and by-products in French Guiana. 

Location

French Guiana

Description

Agarwood refers to dense, heavy and fragrant resinous wood formed in the Aquilaria tree. The resin could develop through pathological, wounding and non-pathological mechanisms. However it is generally accepted that the immune system of the tree is activated after wounding and/or infection by microorganisms. Hereby an oleoresin rich in volatile and semi-volatile secondary metabolites (essentially sesquiterpenes and chromone derivatives) is formed and thought to be the result of activation of stress responses of the tree. Thus, agarwood can be considered as a pathological (wounding and/or infection) product.

Partnership

Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane ; Guyane Développement Innovation ; Agriculteurs de Guyane ; ECOGOG

Team

Genome and selection (GS)

Fundings

FEDER Guyane

Keywords

Aquilaria, agarwood