Citronella oil
essential oil
Citronella oil is an essential oil obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of Cymbopogon (lemongrass). The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol. These chemicals find extensive use in soap, candles and incense, perfumery, cosmetic, and flavouring industries throughout the world.
Citronella oil is also a plant-based insect repellent and has been registered for this use in the United States since 1948. The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers oil of citronella as a biopesticide with a non-toxic mode of action.
Citronella oil has strong antifungal properties.
Types
Citronella oil is classified in trade into two chemotypes:
Ceylon type
CAS: 89998-15-2
CAS: 8000-29-1
EINECS: 289-753-6
FEMA: 2308
CoE: 39
Obtained from: Cymbopogon nardus Rendle
Main components: citronellal (5–15%), geraniol (18–20%) and geranyl acetate (2%), citronellol (6–8%), limonene (9–11%), and methyl isoeugenol (7–11%).
Java type
CAS: 91771-61-8
CAS: 8000-29-1
EINECS: 294-954-7
FEMA: 2308
CoE: 2046
Obtained from: Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt
Main components: citronellal (32–45%), geraniol (21–24%) and geranyl acetate (3–8%), citronellol (11–15%), limonene (1–4%).
The higher proportions of citronellal and geraniol in the Java type oil make it a better source for perfumery derivatives. The standard quality of Java type from Indonesia is regulated by Indonesian authority under SNI 06–3953–1995, which requires citronellal minimum 35% and total geraniol minimum 85%.
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