This paper presents the application of Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) coupled with Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography - Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) in characterizing the agarwood incense. The work involved three types of SPME fibres at 30 minute sampling time. The fibres are 50/30 μm divinylbenzene-carboxen-polydimethysiloxane (DVB-CAR-PDMS), 65 μm polydi methylsiloxane-divinylbenzene (PDMS-DVB) and 85 μm carboxen-polydimethyl siloxane (CAR-PDMS). The results showed that among the many compounds extracted by GC-MS coupled with SPME, six compounds were substantially found in high quality agarwood incense due to their high percentage area (%). They are β-maaliene, α-elemol, β-selinene, 10-epi-γ-eudesmol, agarospirol and caryophellene oxide. The finding offers a new approach for establishing the volatile profile of agarwood incense components as well as for agarwood grading and discrimination.
Agarwood or gaharu, due to its unique scent and quality is considered one of the most expensive wood in the world. This paper uses solvent trap, Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to establish agarwood quality, and is part of ongoing research. The result showed that monoterpenes hydrocarbon, sesquiterpenes hydrocarbon and oxygenated sesquiterpene contribute to agarwood smoke. Among many compounds extracted, 2-hydrdoxy-benzaldehyde, β-selinene and guaia-1(10),11-dien-15,2-olide were found dominant in monoterpenes hydrocarbon, sesquiterpenes hydrocarbon and oxygenated sesquiterpenes respectively. This finding pointed to the utility of solvent trap in extracting chemical compounds of agarwood smoke. This study is also useful for further research on establishing the grade of agarwood.