Determining the Physicochemical Properties of Lemongrass oil Extract for Suitability in Various Applications

Abstract

Essential oil such as lemongrass oil is currently gaining traction globally probably due to the growing concern of the potentially hazardous effect of synthetic spices, gains in consuming organic products, and its medicinal, agricultural, and cosmetics values. For appropriate use of lemongrass oil and its suitability for the intended applications, there is a need to assess its physicochemical properties. In this work, the properties investigated included saponification, acid, free fatty acid, iodine, and peroxide values, respectively, refractive index, viscosity, density, and pH. These were determined mostly according to AOAC (2000). The results obtained were viscosity (211.5 pa.s), saponification value (165.49 mg KOH. g-1), iodine value (84.6 mg/100g of sample), peroxide value (14.2 meq/kg), pH (6.57), acid value (4.488 mg KOH/g), free fatty acid (1.244 % oleic acid), refractive index (1.442), density at 25oC (0.984 g/mL) and specific gravity (0.982). Most of these results are in agreement with prescribed standards, and deviations are attributed predominantly to the difference in the geographical location where the lemongrass was grown. Based on the results, the lemongrass oil is relatively of good quality and preservation status, and is suitable for applications in the food industry, agriculture, cosmetics, beverages and medicine, and bioenergy production.