RESEARCHERS at the University of Western Australia (UWA) have isolated the genes for sandalwood oil and lodged a patent for the process.

In a world first, the team, which also comprises members from the Forests Products Commission (FPC) has synthesised the oil’s major components in three species of sandalwood.

Sandalwood oil is often refered to as 'liquid gold'.
Image: UWA

UWA and FPC research development officer Doctor Liz Barbour said there was little variation in the structure and quantity of oil in the three different species.

“Sandalwood oil has 16 main components which were easier to see in the Indian species, Santalum album, grown in plantations at Kununurra,” she said.

“It was very fortuitous that the research started up there with that species which has narrow genetics because then it was easier to find the genes in the more ancient and complex native sandalwood species, Santalum spicatum.

By identifying the genetic makeup of the trees that produce the highest volumes of oil we will better understand the biosynthetic pathway to select for genetically superior trees and stimulate higher yields.”

Dr Barbour said sandalwood oil is anti-fungal and that’s probably why it is produced in the heartwood to protect the tree from fungal attack.

“Sandalwood is parasitic and is very exposed to the roots of other species, so when you get a fungal attack from the base of the tree you get a huge stimulation of oil.

“Our next research project is going in to work out how you switch on these genes to get a greater amount of oil content in the heartwood.

“We want to make the tree fill up with oil to resist fungi as well as giving a good economic return.”

Dr Barbour said farmers could minimise risk by growing sandalwood because it is a deep-rooted perennial whose host trees are nitrogen fixers which would help control water tables and salinity and add to biodiversity in the farm mix.

Sandalwood is sometimes referred to as liquid gold as its oil and timber are so valuable and it is a significant export earner for WA.

The oil is used as a key ingredient in perfumes, incense, mosquito repellent and medicines and the tree supplies fine timber and nuts similar to macadamias.

Dr Barbour said the research to find the biosynthetic pathway could help researchers see when the genes switched on the oil.

“This research provides a unique opportunity to combine biotechnology with forestry and put us in the forefront of sandalwood producers in the world.”

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