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.[1]
The higher proportions of
citronellal and
geraniol in the Java type oil make it a better source for perfumery
derivatives.[1][8] 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%.[9]
Both types probably originated from
Mana Grass of Sri Lanka, which according to Finnemore (1962) occurs today in two wild forms – Cymbopogon nardus var. linnae (typicus) and C. nardus var. confertiflorus. Neither wild form is known to be used for
distillation to any appreciable extent.
Video tracking of a
stable fly, demonstrating repellency of citronella oil [10]
Citronella oil is used especially as a
mosquito repellent,[11] particularly for Aedes aegypti (
dengue fever mosquito).[12] Research also indicates that citronella oil is an effective repellent for
body lice,
head lice, and
stable flies.[10][13][14] A study conducted by
DARPA in 1963 determined that hydroxycitronellal was an effective repellent against both aquatic and terrestrial
leeches.[15]
Citronella candles (which burn citronella oil) are not effective at repelling mosquitoes.[16][17]
Although direct application of citronella oil to the skin is non-toxic, its use was not recommended as a
topicalinsect repellent in Canada in 2006.[18][19]Health Canada banned use of citronella oil as an insect repellent in 2012, but later lifted the ban in February 2015.[20]
The market for natural citronella oil has been eroded by chemicals synthesised from
turpentine derived from
conifers. However, natural citronella oil and its derivatives are preferred by the
perfume industry.[21]
^Nakahara, Kazuhiko; Alzoreky, Najeeb S.; Yoshihashi, Tadashi; Nguyen, Huong T. T.; Trakoontivakorn, Gassinee (October 2003). "Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from Cymbopogon 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 from
the original(PDF) on 2007-07-16. Retrieved 2007-09-06.{{
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 the
Wayback Machine
^Bond C, Buhl K, Stone D (2013).
"Oil of citronella: General fact sheet". US National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services. Retrieved 6 November 2023.