Comparison of phytochemicals present in Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. (Agarwood) and Gyrinops walla Gaertn.

Abstract

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Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. and Gyrinops walla Gaertn. are large evergreen trees (Family Thymelaeaceae). A. malaccensis produces resin called agarwood that has a high economic value in perfumery industry. G. walla also produces a resin similar to agarwood. Thus, screening o f phytochemicals present in A. malaccensis and G. walla would be important. Stem samples o f test species were collected and air dried. After that they were size reduced and phytochemicals were extracted using soxhlet extractor with two different solvents. Extracts were concentrated using rotary evaporator and concentrated samples were subjected to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) analysis. Obtained chromatograms were used to identify and compare the phytochemical constituents. Dichloromethane found to be better solvent than acetone to extract phytochemicals. Phytochemical composition o f A. malaccensis and G. walla are not similar even though they share some phytochemicals in common. Major compounds that are responsible fo r the fragrance o f agarwood are absent in both stem samples when collected in immature stages. This study could be extended to further optimize phytochemical extraction procedure, screening protocol andGC-MS programme.