From GC-MS to AI Identification: How Third-Party Agarwood Testing Exposes "Oil-Injection" Fraud

The "Gold Standard" for Authenticity: Chemical Composition Testing

The signature compounds of genuine agarwood are sesquiterpenes (such as agarospirol and aquilaric acid) and chromone compounds, produced by the tree's immune response after injury. Third-party labs use gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to build characteristic fingerprint spectra — if these compounds are absent, or if camphor alcohol or cedrene from other woods is detected, the sample can be judged fake. Microscopic observation identifies the even resin canals missing in oil-injected wood, while physical metrics (density 0.8–1.2 g/cm³, moisture ≤15%) further rule out weighting and wet oil-injection fraud.

AI and Blockchain: Traceability Enters the Digital Era

The industry frontier has introduced deep-learning-based image recognition systems (accuracy above 90%) and blockchain traceability solutions that put test data on-chain for full lifecycle tracking via "one item, one code." For high-value pieces, it is recommended to send samples to CMA/CNAS-accredited institutions and retain test certificates confirming "consistency between sample and object" to protect rights through scientific means.

It should be noted that any credible test report must clearly state the standard it relies on (such as GB/T 26773-2011 "Agarwood"). This article is an industry observation and science-popularization compilation and does not constitute any trading or investment advice; please purchase agarwood through legal channels and insist on traceable, testable sources.