Citronella oil
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'''Citronella oil''' is one of the [[essential oil]]s obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of [[Cymbopogon]]. The oil is used extensively as a source of [[perfume]]ry chemicals such as [[citronellal]], [[citronellol]] and [[geraniol]]. These chemicals find extensive use in [[soap]], perfumery, cosmetic and flavouring industries throughout the world.<ref>Lawless, J., ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils'', 1995, ISBN 1-85230-661-0</ref>
Citronella oil is also a renowned plant-based [[insect repellent]], and has been registered for this use in the United States since 1948.<ref>{{cite web | title=U.S. EPA Citronella Factsheet |url=http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/factsheets/factsheet_021901.htm | accessdate=July 20 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> The [[EPA]] considers oil of citronella as a [[biopesticide]] with a non-toxic mode of action.<ref>* [http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/3105fact.pdf EPA citronella reregistration fact sheet]</ref> Research also shows that citronella oil has strong [[antifungal]] properties,<ref>Kazuhiko NAKAHARA*, Najeeb S. ALZOREKY1 , Tadashi YOSHIHASHI, Huong T. T. NGUYEN2 and Gassinee TRAKOONTIVAKORN, "Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil from Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella Grass)", Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS),(Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305–8686, Japan), JARQ - October 2003 - (Vol. 37 No. 4 )</ref><ref>PATTNAIK S., SUBRAMANYAM V. R., KOLE C., 2006, "Antibacterial and antifungal activity of ten essential oils in vitro", ''Microbios'', Vol. 86, No. 349, pp237-246 [http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=3245986]</ref> and is effective in calming barking dogs.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.news.cornell.edu/chronicle/96/6.6.96/barking.html | title = Study: 'Nuisance-barking' dogs respond best to citronella spray collars | first = Roger | last = Segelken | year = 1996 | accessdate = 2007-12-15 | publisher = Cornell Chronicle }}</ref>
==Types==
Citronella oil is classified in trade into two chemotypes:<ref>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[http://www.ics.trieste.it/Documents/Downloads/df4658.pdf]</ref>
* '''Ceylon type''' (obtained from ''[[Cymbopogon nardus]]'' Rendle) consists of [[geraniol]] (18-20%), [[limonene]] (9-11%), [[methyl isoeugenol]] (7-11%), [[citronellol]] (6-8%), and [[citronellal]] (5-15%).
* '''Java type''' (obtained from ''[[Cymbopogon winterianus]]'' Jowitt) consists of [[citronellal]] (32-45%), [[geraniol]] (11-13%), [[geranyl acetate]] (3-8%), [[limonene]] (1-4%). The higher proportions of [[geraniol]] and [[citronellal]] in the Java type make it a better source for perfumery [[derivatives]].<ref>Lawless, J., ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils'', 1995, ISBN 1-85230-661-0</ref> <ref>Online referenced article, Torres, R.C., Tio, BDJ, ''Citronella oil industry: challenges and breakthroughs'' [http://mis.dost.gov.ph/itdi/R&D/cmd/CITRONELLA_OIL.pdf]</ref> The name ''Cymbopogon winterianus'' is given to this selected variety to commemorate Mr. Winter—an important oil distiller of Ceylon, who first cultivated and distilled the Maha Pangeri type of citronella in Ceylon.
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.
Citronella oil from [[Cymbopogon]] species should not be confused with other similar lemony oils from ''[[Corymbia citriodora]]'' and ''[[Pelargonium citrosum]]''.
==World production==
At present, the world production of citronella oil is approximately 4,000 [[tonne]]s. The main producers are [[China]] and [[Indonesia]] - producing 40% of the world's supply. The oil is also produced in [[Taiwan]], [[Guatemala]], [[Honduras]], [[Brazil]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[India]], [[Argentina]], [[Ecuador]], [[Jamaica]], [[Madagascar]], [[Mexico]], and [[South Africa]].
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.<ref>FOODNET, The Association for Strengthening Agricultural research in Eastern and Central Africa [http://www.foodnet.cgiar.org/market/Tropcomm/part2c1.htm]</ref>
==Use as an insect repellent==
Citronella oil is popular as a 'natural' insect repellent. Its mosquito repellent qualities have been verified by research,<ref>Jeong-Kyu KIM, Chang-Soo KANG, Jong-Kwon LEE, Young-Ran KIM, Hye-Yun HAN, Hwa Kyung YUN, ''Evaluation of Repellency Effect of Two Natural Aroma Mosquito Repellent Compounds, Citronella and Citronellal'', Entomological Research 35 (2), 117–120, 2005</ref> including effectiveness in repelling ''[[Aedes aegypti]]'' (yellow fever mosquito). <ref>Ibrahim Jantan, and Zaridah Mohd. Zaki, ''Development of environment-friendly insect repellents from the leaf oils of selected Malaysian plants'', ASEAN Review of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (ARBEC), May 1998.</ref><ref>Trongtokit Y, Rongsriyan Y, Komalamisra N, Apiwathnasom L, ''Comparative repellency of 38 essential oils against mosquito bites,'' Phytother Res. 2005 Apr;19(4):303-9 [http://benefitsofindianfood.googlepages.com/clove-_Mosquito_repellent.pdf]</ref> To be continually effective most citronella repellent formulas need to be reapplied to the skin every 30-60 minutes.<ref>[http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=105015&catId=100281&tid=100008&p=5&title=Test%3a+Mosquito+repellents "Test: Mosquito Repellents, The Verdict" Choice, The Australian Consumers Association]</ref>
Research also indicates that citronella oil is an effective repellent for [[body louse]] and [[head louse]]. <ref>Muncuoglu K.Y., Galun R., Bach U., Miller J., Magdassi S., ''Repellency of essential oils and their components to the human body louse, Pediculus humanus humanus'', Entomologia experimentalis et applicata (Entomol. exp. appl.) ISSN 0013-8703 CODEN ETEAAT, vol. 78, no3, pp. 309-314 (14 ref.), 1996. [http://www.fairytaleshaircare.com/content/default.asp?artid=89]</ref> <ref>Mumcuoglu,-K-Y; Magdassi,-S; Miller,-J; Ben-Ishai,-F; Zentner,-G; Helbin,-V; Friger,-M; Kahana,-F; Ingber,-A; ''Repellency of citronella for head lice: double-blind randomized trial of efficacy and safety,'' Isr-Med-Assoc-J. 2004 Dec; 6(12): 756-9 [http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/index.php?mode2=detail&origin=ibids_references&therow=779962]</ref>
==Safety as repellent==
Citronella may irritate skin and cause [[dermatitis]] in certain individuals. It should not be used on the skin of young children (under 3 years old).
The US [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency]] states that citronella oil has little or no [[toxicity]] when used as a topical insect repellent, with no reports of adverse effects of concern over a 60 year period. Because some products are applied to human skin, EPA requires proper precautionary labeling to help assure safe use. If used according to label instructions in the US, citronella is not expected to pose health risks to people, including children and other sensitive populations.<ref>{{cite web | title=U.S. EPA Citronella Factsheet |url=http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/factsheets/factsheet_021901.htm | accessdate=July 20 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> The US [[Food & Drug Administration]] consider citronella oil as generally recognized as safe ([[GRAS]]).
Canadian regulatory concerns with citronella as an insect repellent are primarily based on data-gaps in [[toxicology]], not on incidents.<ref>{{cite book | url = http://www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/pdf/pacr/pacr2004-36-e.pdf | publisher = Pest Management Regulatory Agency (Canada) | title = Re-evaluation of Citronella Oil and Related Active Compounds for Use as Personal Insect Repellents | work = Responsible Pesticide Use | date = 2004-09-17 | isbn = 0-662-38012-6}}</ref>
<ref>[http://www.cropwatch.org/newsletter2.htm "So Then: Who’s Afraid of Citronella Oil? Update!"] ''Cropwatch Newsletter'' Vol 2,Issue 1, No. 1</ref> In [[Europe]], Ceylon type citronella oil is placed on the category 3 list, with some safety concern regarding methyl eugenol.<ref>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[http://www.ics.trieste.it/Documents/Downloads/df4658.pdf]</ref>
== References ==
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[[Category:Essential oils]]
[[Category:Flavors]]
[[nl:Citronella]]