Chemical composition of Cymbopogon nardus essential oil and its broad spectrum benefit

Abstract

Investigation was conduct to determine the chemical composition of Cymbopogon nardus oil (CNO). Firstly, the leaves of CNO was characterized on its macro nutrient. Distillation was carried out on C. nardus leaves which were air dried conditioning for previous 24 hours. CNO was then analyzed using GCMS Pyrolysis Type Shimadzu QP2010. The nutrient laboratory test found that C.nardus leaves have water content 11.15%, C organic 25.30%, total N 0.77%, C/N ratio (33.00%), total P (0.40%) and total K (1.08%). Literature study on benefit uses were carrying on previous study. A total of 29 active compounds have been identified and quantified by GCMS Shimadzu QP2010. Predominant constituent among them: ammonium carbamate (18.26%), carbinol (13.57%), neophytadiene (11.65%), transgeraniol (6.92%), phenol-methoxy (6.15%), norolean (4.93%), benzofuran (3.9%), guaiacol (3.23%), hexadecen-phytol (3.1%), beta-citronellol (2.69%), trans-caryophyllene (2.61%), alpha.-humulene (2.45%) and valerol (2.38%). A diverse spectrum benefit among: bactericidal activity (BA), anti-fungal, anti-free radicals, waste degradation (agricultural, faecal), insect repellents and natural staple preservation.The constituents of CNO active compound varied related habitat, distillation and analysis method. Agreement among researchers on predominant compounds: citral, citronellal, geranyl acetate, geraniol and citronellol to be responsible compounds on a broad of benefit.