Pagoh:The Innovation Centre in Agritechnology for Advanced Bioprocessing (ICA) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Pagoh Campus has successfully developed and commercialized a perfume derived from *Aquilaria malaccensis*, the agarwood species, known as "Fragrad."
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the development of this perfume marks a significant step in the commercialization of university research, enhancing the value of agarwood, often referred to as "forest gold." The project was spearheaded by Dr. Norliza Abdul Latiff, a research officer at ICA UTM Pagoh, who was inspired to create an agarwood-based perfume in 2023 after being captivated by the aroma of the wood during her research.
The concept received support from ICA director Prof. Dr. Hesham Ali El-Enshasy and was developed with a UTM research grant by a team of 13 experts. The perfume formulation, which took about a year to develop, resulted in the production of Fragrad in 2024, which is intended to be one of UTM's signature products and a potential exclusive university souvenir.
Fragrad is available in four fragrance variations SheGrad, HeGrad, Teja, and Tuah, catering to diverse consumer preferences. Each formulation includes about 25 percent agarwood essence, sourced from local suppliers, and requires between three weeks and two months to produce, depending on the grade and formulation.
Dr. Norliza emphasized the importance of using local raw materials, which helps create a value chain that links university research with industry and expands agarwood's potential as a high-value downstream product. However, obtaining high-quality agarwood essence remains challenging due to limited availability and the need for advance orders.
ICA UTM aims to introduce at least one new agarwood-based product annually, aligning with efforts to bring research outcomes to market. Fragrad is currently sold through UTMart at UTM Skudai Campus in Johor Bahru and various online platforms. Nearly 300 bottles have been produced so far, with a sales target of over 600 bottles during the commercialization period from 2024 to 2027.