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Citronella
Common name: Citronella
Botanical Name: Cymbopogon winterianus
Family: Graminae
Description
Citronella is a tall fragrant perennial grass, growing up to a height of 1 - 1.5 m. The leaves are sessile, simple, green, linear, equitantly arranged and can grow to an average size of 60 cm long x 2.5 cm wide. The leaf is glabrous, venation parallel with an acuminate apice and sheathing base. There are no true stems. The leaf sheath is tubular and acts as a pseudostem.
Parts Used: Leaves
Distribution: Cultivated throughout plain area of Nepal.
Method of Extraction: Steam Distillation
| Specification of Citronella |
| 1. Organoleptic Properties |
| Appearance |
Fluid liquid |
| Color |
Light yellow |
| Aroma |
Fresh & Sweet |
| 2. Physico-chemical Properties |
| Specific gravity |
0.8820 to 0.8875 at 23° C |
| Optical rotation |
(-) 2 TO (-) 4 AT 23C |
| Refractive index |
1.4750 to 1.4885 at 23° C |
| Acid number |
0.5 TO 3.5 |
| Ester number |
20 TO 40 |
| Ester number after acetylation |
250 TO 280 |
| Total Alcohol |
80 to 90% (calculated as geraniol) |
| Aldehyde content |
21.5 to 35% (Hydroxylamine hydrochoride method) |
| Solubility |
Soluble in 0.8 to 1.5 vol. of 80% alcohol |
3. Chemical constituent
Geraniol, citronellal. |
4. Uses:
- In perfumery for the scenting of soaps and in the production of technical preparations
- Medicinal & Aromatherapy use: Anti-infectious, antiseptic, antibacterial, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, deodorant, diaphoretic fungicidal, insect repellent (mosquito), stomachic, excessive perspiration, oily skin and hair, room deodorizer, rheumatism and arthritic pain
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