Citronella oil is anessential oil obtained from the leaves and stems of different species ofCymbopogon (lemongrass). The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals such ascitronellal,citronellol, andgeraniol. These chemicals find extensive use in soap,candles andincense, perfumery, cosmetic, and flavouring industries throughout the world.[1]
The higher proportions ofcitronellal andgeraniol in the Java type oil make it a better source for perfumeryderivatives.[1][8] The standard quality of Java type from Indonesia is regulated by Indonesian authority under SNI 06–3953–1995, which requirescitronellal minimum 35% and total geraniol minimum 85%.[9]
Both types probably originated fromMana Grass of Sri Lanka, which according to Finnemore (1962) occurs today in two wild forms –Cymbopogon nardus var.linnae (typicus) andC. nardus var.confertiflorus. Neither wild form is known to be used fordistillation to any appreciable extent.
Citronella candles (which burn wax mixed with citronella oil) are not effective at repelling mosquitos such as Aedes aegypti, the species of mosquito responsible for spreading dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro and yellow fever viruses, and other disease agents.[16][17][18]
Although direct application of citronella oil to the skin is non-toxic, its use was not recommended as atopicalinsect repellent in Canada in 2006.[19][20]Health Canada banned use of citronella oil as an insect repellent in 2012, but lifted the ban in February 2015.[21]
The market for natural citronella oil has been eroded by chemicals synthesised fromturpentine derived fromconifers. However, natural citronella oil and its derivatives are preferred by theperfume industry.[22]
^Nakahara, Kazuhiko; Alzoreky, Najeeb S.; Yoshihashi, Tadashi; Nguyen, Huong T. T.; Trakoontivakorn, Gassinee (October 2003). "Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil fromCymbopogon nardus (Citronella Grass)".Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences.37 (4):249–52.INIST15524982.
^Pattnaik, S; Subramanyam, VR; Kole, C (1996). "Antibacterial and antifungal activity of ten essential oils in vitro".Microbios.86 (349):237–46.PMID8893526.INIST3245986.
^Chang, Yu Shyun, 2007,8 Map species from Malaysia for ICS, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Workshop on NFP, 28–29 May 2007, Nanchang, PR China"Archived copy"(PDF). Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 2007-07-16. Retrieved2007-09-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^Online referenced article, Torres, R.C., Tio, BDJ,Citronella oil industry: challenges and breakthroughs[1]Archived 2004-03-12 at theWayback Machine
^Bond C, Buhl K, Stone D (2013)."Oil of citronella: General fact sheet". US National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services. Retrieved6 November 2023.
