Lemongrass oil

Lemon grass oil

Cymbopogon citratus – Poaceae/ Graminae

citronella grass/fever grass/gavati chaha

Perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol

soap, candles and incense, perfumery, cosmetic, and flavouring industries throughout the world.

plant-based insect repellent-registered-1948citronella as a biopesticide with a non-toxic

mode of actionuse of citronella as an insecticide is

prohibited under the Biocidal Product Directive 2006

Cultivation parametersabundant sunshine and high humidity (70 %

and above).Temperature range between 200C to 380Cwell-distributed rainfall of 2000-3000 mm if irrigation is available citronella can be

cultivated in regions of low rainfall also.sandy loam soilsHeavy clayey soils

It does not tolerate water stagnation.ideal pH range is 5.0-7.0clumps of vigorously growing plant of 6-months

to one year old into slipsbeginning of monsoon (May-June)at 45 x 45 cm in plain land at 5-8 cm depth on

one side of the ridges60 x 45 cm in sloppy landweed competition in the initial stagesN, P205, K20 @ 200:80:75 kg/ha/year

During rainy season crop may suffer iron deficiency

leaf chlorosis-rectified by spraying 0.25% ferrous sulphate

HarvestingIn the first year only 3 cuts From second year onwards, 5-6 harvestsThe crop can be maintained economically for

about 4 years.

ProductionSupercritical fluid extraction353.15K and 18.0 MPa of pressure. Yield-2.2

%Distillation of oilThe grass is steam distilled for better

recoveryboiler, a distillation vessel, a condenser and

two receivers / separators.Distillation is completed within 3 hours

yield less than 200 kg oil/ha/year.

Rs.140/15ml

usesculinary herb in Asian cuisinesubtle citrus flavour dried and powdered or used freshused in teas soups and curriespoultry, fish, beef, and seafoodoften used as a tea in African countriesLemongrass oil is used as a pesticide and a preservativelemongrass oil has antifungal propertiesability to repel some insects, such as mosquitoesno toxicity when used as a topical insect repellent,lure to attract honey beespheromone created by the honeybee's Nasonov glandis effective in calming barking dogs

grow to about 2 m (6.6 ft) and have magenta-colored base stems.

used in soaps, as an insect repellentinsect sprays and candles, and in

aromatherapyin home gardens to ward off insects such as

whitefly adultsgavati chaha (गवती चहा) herbal 'soup' used against coughs, colds

put on the ancient palm-leaf manuscripts found in India as a preservative.

It is used at the Oriental Research Institute Mysore

French Institute of Pondicherry

Tradeworld production of citronella oil is

approximately 1300 tonnesChina and Indonesia - producing 40 percentTaiwan, Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil, Sri

Lanka, India, Argentina, Ecuador, Jamaica, Madagascar, Mexico, and South Africa.

natural citronella oil has been eroded by chemicals synthesised from turpentine

Indian tradeAssam10,000 hectareAmerica biggest importerJapan biggest importer in Asia.2000 years back/ Distillation starts 1890During 1950 India produce1800 tonnes/year.Currently world production 800-1300 tonnes/YListea cubeba/ synthetic citral- chinaIndia major player in production- 80% exported.Guatemala, China, Mexico, Bangladesh

Current world production 1300 tonnes with India 350 tonnes

In India 3000 hectares

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