Citronella oil

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Citronella oil is one of the essential oils obtained from different species of Cymbopogon. The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellol and geraniol. These chemicals find extensive use in soap, perfumery, cosmetic and flavouring industries throughout the world.

Citronella oil is classified in trade into two types: Ceylon citronella oil (obtained from Cymbopogon nardus Rendle) is the inferior type; Java Type (obtained from Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) is considered superior.

Both types probably originated from Mana Grass of Ceylon, which according to Finnemore (1962) occurs today in two wild forms--Cymbopogon nardus var. linnae (typicus) and C. nardus var. confertiflorus. Neither form is known to be used for distillation to any appreciable extent. The Java citronella and the name Cymbopogon winterianus is given to this selected variety to commemorate one Mr. Winter—an important oil distiller of Ceylon, who first cultivated and distlled Maha Pangeri type of citronella in Ceylon.

As an alternative to DEET, citronella oil is the principal ingredient in many products used to repel insects.

At present, the world production of citronella oil is approximately 7,000 tonnes, the bulk of which is produced in Taiwan, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Brazil, China, Sri Lanka, India, Argentina, Ecuador, Madagascar, Mexico and the West Indies.