Description

Cymbopogon flexuosus leaf/stem oil, also known as lemongrass oil, is an essential oil derived from the leaves and stems of the Cymbopogon flexuosus plant. Known for its fresh, lemon-like aroma, this oil is widely utilized in fragrances, cosmetics, and personal care products.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Key Components:
Citral: The primary compound, contributing to the lemon-like fragrance, exists as two isomers: neral and geranial.
Limonene: Provides a citrus scent, complementing the oil's fresh aroma.
Geraniol: Adds a floral note to the oil’s fragrance profile.
Additional Compounds: May include traces of linalool, β-caryophyllene, and various monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.

Structure:
The essential oil is a complex mixture of volatile terpenoid compounds. Citral, with the molecular formula C10H16O, is a major component in its nerale and geranial forms.

Physical Properties

Appearance: Clear or pale yellow liquid.
Odor: Fresh, lemony, and citrus-like.
Consistency: Light and fluid, with low viscosity.
Solubility: Soluble in most organic solvents, but insoluble in water.

Production Process

Harvesting:
Source: Extracted from the leaves and stems of Cymbopogon flexuosus.
Preparation: The plant material is cleaned and prepared for extraction.

Extraction:
Method: Typically obtained through steam distillation. In this process, steam is passed through the plant material, and the essential oil is collected from the condensed steam.
Purification: The distilled oil may undergo further purification to remove impurities and enhance quality.

Refinement:
Process: Additional steps such as filtration or concentration may be used to achieve the desired quality and concentration of the essential oil.

Applications

Fragrance Industry: Used in perfumes, colognes, and scented products for its refreshing, lemon-like fragrance.
Skin Care: Incorporated into lotions, creams, and serums for its potential astringent and antimicrobial properties, and to provide a fresh scent.
Hair Care: Added to shampoos and conditioners for its pleasant fragrance and potential benefits for the scalp.
Aromatherapy: Utilized in essential oil blends and diffusers for its invigorating and stimulating scent.

Safety

Cymbopogon flexuosus leaf/stem oil is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products when used as directed. It is advisable to avoid excessive use and exercise caution if you have sensitive skin or a history of allergies to essential oils.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Sustainability: Sustainable cultivation practices are important to minimize environmental impact and ensure a steady supply of raw materials.
Regulatory Compliance: The oil must comply with cosmetic and personal care product regulations to ensure safety and efficacy in final products.
Quality Control: Regular quality checks are essential to maintain the purity and effectiveness of the essential oil.

INCI


Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Flavoring agent. The purpose of this ingredient is to modify the solution to impart a certain flavour. Natural flavouring extracts are rather expensive, so the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries resort to synthesised substances that have sensory characteristics mostly similar to natural flavourings or are naturally equivalent. This ingredient is isolated through chemical processes or is synthesised from chemicals. It is also referred to as Aroma.
Synonyms:

CAS: 91844-92-7 EC number 295-161-9