Cymbopogon Winterianus Jowitt Research Articles

Plantes aromatiques du Plateau des Cataractes (Bassin du Congo). Caractérisation du chémotype de l’huile essentielle de Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle acclimaté au Congo-Brazzaville

Description. Les huiles essentielles de Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle, Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt, Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) Wats et Cymbopogon citratus L. (DC.) Stapf (lemongrass) sont constituées à plus de 80 % de citronellal, géraniol, citral, citronellol, acétate de géranyle et limonène. Elles ne se distinguent les unes des autres que par les proportions relatives de ces différents constituants. Il est donc important de connaitre la composition chimique exacte des huiles essentielles produites. Objectifs. Évaluer le chémotype de C. nardus acclimaté sur le Plateau des Cataractes. Méthode. Les huiles essentielles de C. nardus acclimatées sur le Plateau des Cataractes ont été extraites par hydrodistillation et analysées par chromatographie (GC et CG/MS) pendant plus d’une décennie. Résultats. Avec un profil caractérisé par la composition suivante : citronellal (40-48 %), géraniol (10-22 %), citronellol (10-12 %), limonène (2-3 %), acétate de géranyle (1-2 %), linalol (1 %), cette espèce produit une huile essentielle de citronella type Java. Ceci tient au fait que la différence entre les types Java et Ceylan de citronella repose uniquement sur les teneurs individuelles de leurs trois principaux constituants : citronellal, géraniol et citronellol. Cymbopogon nardus est connu pour sa variabilité élevée, avec deux variétés et sept sous-variétés. Conclusions. Le citronella diffusé en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre sous le nom de Cymbopogon nardus type Java serait plutôt proche de Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt par sa composition chimique.

Composition and anti-bacterial activity analysis of citronella oil obtained by hydrodistillation: Process optimization study

Hydro-distillation was performed to determine the quantity of essential oil in different parts of Java Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) plant. Parameters affecting the oil extraction process were evaluated using Response Surface Methodology. The generated second order polynomial model was highly significant with R2=0.9744 and P<0.0001. Highest yield of 2.38% vw−1 was obtained using the leaves part at distillation time of 180min, which was about 40% more than stems part and 17% more than whole aerial parts. Higher essential oil content of fresh plant (2.43% on a dry weight basis) compared to dried plant (2.12% on a dry weight basis) indicates that the moisture content has a significant effect on oil yield. GC/MS analysis of the oil extracted from leaves part revealed about 95% of commercially important compounds viz. citronellal (55.23%), geraniol (26.29%) and citronellol (13.41%), indicated very high quality citronella oil. The oil was found effective against all the six tested bacteria strains namely Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli, which revealed that citronella oil could be applied for the treatment of infections caused by various gram positive or negative pathogenic organism. The hydrosol obtained after hydro-distillation was analyzed using HPLC and was found to contain sugar alcohols such as adonitol, erythritol and mannitol which could be utilized in nutraceutical industries.

Biochemical parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) treated with citronella oil (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor) and its influence on reproduction

Spodoptera frugiperda is the principal corn pest in Brazil. Searches for new control methods that minimize the adverse effects of synthetic insecticides have initiated a resurgence of the use of botanical insecticides. Citronella oil (a product of Cymbopogon winterianus) is an effective repellent and insecticide. Thus, biochemical profile changes in oil-treated larvae and its influence on reproduction were assessed. Corn leaves dipped in a 50mg/mL concentration were offered to third instar larvae for 24h and assessed in sixth instar to estimate protein, lipid, sugar, and glycogen levels. Adult testes and ovarioles were collected for histological and histochemical analysis 24h after emergence. Number of eggs and hatching rate were also measured. Oil-treated larvae showed an increase in glycogen and a decrease in protein, lipid, and totals sugar content. Control testes exhibited connective tissue lining and cysts with abundant spermatozoids. However, intense peripheral vacuolation and neutral carbohydrates reduction occurred in oil-treated individuals. Control ovarioles showed normal morphologic characteristics. On the other hand, oil-treatment ovarioles showed follicular cell stratification and removal, reduced nurse cell development, reduced yolk quantity, a thinner conjunctiva sheath, and a reduction in proteins and neutral carbohydrates. Eggs derived from oil-treated pairs were unviable. Therefore, sub-lethal doses of citronella oil alters the biochemical profile of S. frugiperda larvae, causing damage to their reproductive histophysiology and results in diminished reproduction or reproductive failure.

Effects of Plant Extracts on Developmental Stages of the PredatorPodisus nigrispinus(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of aqueous extracts of Annona squamosa L. (Magnoliales: Annonaceae), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Sapindales: Meliaceae), Corymbia citriodora Hook. (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor (Poales: Poaceae), Lippia sidoides Cham. (Lamiales: Verbenaceae), Mentha arvensis L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), Ricinus communis L. (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae), and Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae) on the developmental stages (eggs, 5th instars, and adults) of a generalist predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The eggs were dipped in extract concentrations of 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10%, and the nymphs and adults received 1 µL of each extract on the dorsal thorax. The extracts affected hatching, with the extracts of A. indica (flowers), A. squamosa, and R. communis being the most toxic. None of the extracts affected the mortality in the nymphal stage, whereas S. saponaria, A. indica (flowers), and L. sidoides ...

Ethanol extract of Cymbopogon winterianus on mortality and number of eggs of Tetranychus urticae

Plant extracts have been studied as a promising source of natural insecticides. This study assessed the effect of the ethanol extract of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (citronella grass) in comparison with an insecticide containing azadirachtin (ICA) on mortality and number of eggs of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) in laboratory conditions. For the tests, the mites were sprayed with the aid of a Potter spray tower. To assess the mortality of females, LC50 value for extract of citronella grass and ICA was, respectively, 2.63 and 2.83%. With respect to the number of eggs, the greatest reduction was observed at a concentration of 5% for the evaluation period of 120h, both for the extract of citronella grass (86%) and for ICA (81%). These results suggest the potential of the ethanol extract of citronella grass to control of T. urticae. However, experiments, under field conditions, involving other populations of T. urticae should be performed to verify the efficacy of this extract as an alternative to be used in pest management programs

Enzymatic Extract Fractionation of (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) Citronella through Supercritical Carbon dioxide (SC-CO2)

Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt or citronella is said to be an insect repellant and usually planted in the yard in the Philippines. In this study enzymatic extracts of citronella were fractionated using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction to have different oil extracts in three different parameters, 10 megapascal (10MPa), 20 megapascal (20MPa) and 30 megapascal (30MPa) at constant temperature at 40° Celsius. The highest oil yield is at 20MPa with an average of 10.21 for three trials of extraction, followed by 10MPa and 30MPa with 4.89 and 2.15. Oil extract at 10MPa was subjected to gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and found four components in which 2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)bicycle hexan 2-ol or trans sabinene hydrate and 4-methanol-o-Menth-8-ene or elemol was the major compounds. The pure crude enzymatic extract, 20MPa and 30MPa supercritical carbon dioxide extracts were subjected to fatty acid profiling, twelve free fatty acid were found at pure crude enzymatic extract, while nine free fatty acid were found at 20MPa and 30MPa supercritical carbon dioxide extracts. Lauric (C12) is consistently highest in terms of weight by weight in three extracts that were subjected to free fatty acid profiling. This study can be used as basis for agricultural applications in food and pharmaceutical since there is no thorough study of the fractionation of enzymatic extract of citronella.

Efeito moluscicida do óleo essencial de Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (Poaceae) sobre Lymnaea columella (Say, 1817) e Biomphalaria tenagophila(D’Orbigny, 1835)

RESUMO O uso das substâncias moluscicidas convencionais no controle de planorbídeos vetores constitui-se uma importante ferramenta no combate da fasciolose hepática e esquistossomose. Sendo, portanto, de extrema relevância para a pecuária e para os serviços de Vigilância Epidemiológica. Por outro lado, a seleção de caramujos resistentes a tais substâncias e sua baixa seletividade estimulam a busca por novas substâncias. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho foi desenvolvido para avaliar o efeito do óleo essencial de Cymbopogon winterianusJowitt sobre Lymnaea columella e Biomphalaria tenagophila, hospedeiros intermediários de Fasciola hepatica e esquistossomose mansônica, respectivamente. O óleo essencial foi extraído a partir de folhas frescas utilizando o sistema Clevenger. A análise qualitativa foi realizada por meio de cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG/EM) e a quantificação dos constituintes presentes no óleo foi determinada por cromatografia gasosa acoplada ao detector de ionização de chama (CG/DIC). O efeito moluscicida foi avaliado utilizando seis moluscos de cada espécie e o óleo essencial de C. winterianus nas concentrações finais de 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80 e 100 ppm. A análise por cromatografia gasosa do óleo essencial possibilitou a identificação dos componentes majoritários geraniol (28,62%), citronelal (23,62%) e citronelol (17,10%). Os valores de DL100 e DL50para os moluscos das espécies L. columella e B. tenagophila foram, respectivamente, 60 e 40 ppm; 80 ppm e 60 ppm. O óleo de Cymbopogon winterianus demonstrou-se uma alternativa promissora para o controle dos moluscos, sendo a espécie L. columella mais sensível ao mesmo.

Variation in the essential oil content and composition of Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.) in relation to time of harvest and weather conditions

The essential oil obtained from the herb of Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.), a multi-harvest perennial crop, is one of the industrially important essential oils. An experiment was conducted to study the changes in the chemical composition of the essential oil over a period of six months (at 10 and 20 days intervals) in two phases from October 2012 to March 2013. During the first phase i.e., October to December, a significant increase in the plant height, number of tillers (13.7–25.9), number of leaves (20.0–97.5), leaf length (33.5–53cm), leaf width (1.2–1.4cm), leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, and oil yield per plant were recorded with passage of time. Similar improvements were noticed in the second phase also.A significant increase in the limonene (2.2–3.1%), citronellol (5.4–6.9%), and geraniol (19.2–26.7%) was noticed with passage of time and a significant decrease was noticed in citronellylacetate (5.3–3.8%) and geranylacetate (14.8–9.0%) with advancement in age up to 90 days during the first phase (October–December). Similar observations were noticed in the second phase also.Limonene and citronellol were positively and significantly correlated with citronellal and geraniol contents in the essential oil. Citronellol showed a significant negative correlation with citronellyl and geranylacetate. Geraniol showed significant negative relationship with citronellylacetate and geranylacetate. Citronellylacetate and geranylacetate showed significant positive correlation with each other and also with elemol. Good quality essential oil was obtained by harvesting between 80 and 90 days.

Potencial inseticida de óleos de origem vegetal sobre Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Em decorrência do estudo das interações químicas entre insetos e herbívoros, e do avanço da pesquisa fitoquímica, é conhecida ampla variedade de produtos naturais com potencial inseticida. Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), mariposa-oriental, é uma das principais pragas do pessegueiro, danificando brotações e frutos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a mortalidade, atratividade e deterrência de óleos vegetais em G. molesta. Ovos e pupas de insetos provindos de criação artificial foram imersos nos óleos essenciais de Elionurus muticus (Spreng.) Kuntze e Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor nas concentrações de 0,25%, 0,5%, 1% e 0,5%, 1%, 5%. Os testes de atratividade foram realizados em olfatômetro do tipo "Y". A deterrência à oviposição foi testada em gaiolas sem escolha e de dupla escolha. O óleo de E. muticus aplicado em ovos de G. molesta nas três concentrações causou mortalidades maiores que 30%, diferindo significativamente dos controles (p&lt;0,05). A mortalidade causada pelo óleo de citronela foi em torno de 70%, significativamente superior ao controle (p&lt;0,01). O óleo de citronela aplicado a 1% em pupas causou mortalidade de 99,8%. No teste com o olfatômetro, não houve atratividade dos adultos para nenhum dos óleos. A média de ovos no substrato com o tratamento (0,33±0,33), foi significativamente menor que no controle (7,3±0,88) (p&lt;0,01), indicando deterrência à oviposição.

Extraction and characterization of essential oil components based on geraniol and citronellol from Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt)

Citronella oil is the main product of Java citronella grass (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) rich in geraniol and citronellol, widely used in mosquito repellents and perfumeries. The age of the plant plays a key role in oil composition and its yield such that young leaves have lesser oil content than the mature leaves. Also, a remarkable difference between fresh and dried leaves regarding oil yield is observed. The various methods of extracting essential oils from citronella grass with respect to yield (%) were studied. Average percent yield in the manual extraction and hydro-distillation procedure was 0.8 and 1 % respectively, which was better as compared to steam distilled oil (0.7 %). The chromatographic analysis of essential oils with respect to standards geraniol and citronellol were studied by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) with n-hexane and ethyl acetate (3:2) as mobile phase followed by its separation on plates. The developed plates showed geraniol, citronellol and citronellal as major bands. The analysis of all extracted oil samples by means of electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in the positive ion mode showed rapid mass fingerprints of constituents present in the samples according to the observed mass of standards. Furthermore, the analysis of vibrational spectra was accomplished with Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) specifying all the functional groups as major peaks confirming all of them as monoterpene alcohols with conjugated double bonds. Thus, HPTLC, ESI-MS and FTIR studies evidenced that the two essential oil components were majorly present in the methanol extract suggesting methanol as a good extractant in the manual extraction process.

Molluscicidal and larvicidal activities and essential oil composition of Cymbopogon winterianus

Context. Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor (Poaceae), known as citronella grass, is an aromatic herbaceous plant and the essential oil extracted from this grass is used in cosmetics, perfumes, hygiene and cleanliness products worldwide.Objective: This study investigated the composition and molluscicidal and larvicidal activities of the essential oil of C. winterianus cultivated in North Brazil.Materials and methods: The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation, analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry and then its molluscicidal and larvicidal activities against snails (Biomphalaria glabrata) and hatched larvae of Artemia salina, respectively, were evaluated at concentrations from 10 to 1000 mg/L.Results: The main constituents of oil were citronellal (26.5%), geraniol (16.2%), elemol (14.5%) and citronellol (7.3%). The molluscicidal test revealed significant lethal concentration (LC) values (LC90 = 97.0 mg/L, LC50 = 54.0 mg/L and LC20 = 22.0 mg/L), indicating the presence of molluscicidal compounds in the oil. In addition, the oil showed moderate larvicidal activity (LC50 = 181.0 mg/L) against the larvae of A. salina, which could justify its use in the aquatic environment without affecting other living organisms.Discussion and conclusion: The results suggest that the oil of C. winterianus could be an effective alternative to control schistosomiasis, with an average margin of safety to other living organisms that coexist with snails.

Citronellal, a monoterpene present in Java citronella oil, attenuates mechanical nociception response in mice

Context: Citronellal is a monoterpene present in the oil of many species, including Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (Poaceae).Objective: The present study investigated the effect of citronellal on inflammatory nociception induced by different stimuli and examined the involvement of the NO–cGMP–ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathway.Materials and methods: We used male Swiss mice (n = 6 per group) that were treated intraperitoneally with citronellal (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) 0.5 h after the subplantar injection of 20 μl of carrageenan (CG; 300 µg/paw), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; 100 pg/paw), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 100 ng/paw) or dopamine (DA; 30 μg/paw). The mechanical nociception was evaluated at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 h after the injection of the agents, using a digital analgesimeter (von Frey). The effects of citronellal were also evaluated in the presence of L-NAME (30 mg/kg) or glibenclamide (5 mg/kg).Results: At all times, citronellal in all doses inhibited the development of mechanical nociception induced by CG (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01) and TNF-α (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05). The citronellal was able to increase the pain threshold in the DA test (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05) and in the PGE2 test at all times (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05). L-NAME and glibenclamide reversed the antinociceptive effects of the citronellal at higher doses in the PGE2 test.Discussion and conclusion: These data suggest that citronellal attenuated mechanical nociception, mediated in part by the NO-cGMP--ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathway.

Behavioral responses of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) to four essential oils in Thailand

The behavioral effects of four essential oils extracted from orange peel (Citrus aurantium L.), cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl), citronella grass (Cymbopogonwinterianus Jowitt), and clove flower [Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill & Perry] were evaluated against two medically important species of mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, using an excito-repellency test system. Ae. aegypti was collected from a small village in Kanchanaburi Province and Culex quinquefasciatus was captured from an urban area of Bangkok. Mosquitoes from the F1–F3 generations were tested in the excito-repellency test chamber for contact excitation and non-contact spatial repellency. Results showed that both species demonstrated varying levels of behavioral escape responses to different essential oils, showing a clear dose response depending on percent w/v concentration used. Orange oil produced the least response in both mosquito species, while citronella and clove the greatest. In general, Cx. quinquefasciatus exhibited much stronger behavioral responses to all four essential oils than Ae. aegypti. From this study, we conclude that the essential oils from various botanical sources should continue to be screened for protective properties against mosquitoes and other biting arthropods.

Avaliação De Extratos Vegetais Aquosos Sobre Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) is a polyphagous species that feeds on several crops, causing major damage. However, its control is difficult. Then, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Capsicum baccatum L., Eucalyptus grandis (Hill) and Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt on the development of S. eridania when incorporated in artificial diet. After obtaining the aqueous extract (10% w/v), these were incorporated into the diet and offered to the caterpillars. To the control group was offered only diet. The experimental design was completely randomized, and each treatment consisted of 4 replicates with 15 larvae per replicate. The larval mortality, the weight of larvae and pupae, and larval duration of the cycle were evaluated. E. grandis presented the higher efficiency upon S. eridania, causing 100% of mortality and the lowest larval weight (1.0±0.3mg), followed by C. baccatum, which caused 61,7% of mortality, reduced larval (21.1±2.3mg) and puppal weight (197.0±5.7mg). These results indicate that both plants affect the development of S. eridania and are potential options to control this insect. KEYWORDS: Cymbopogon winterianus, Capsicum baccatum, Eucalyptus grandis, insecticide plant

Inhibitory effect of lemongrass oil and its major constituents on Candida biofilm and germ tube formation

Adhesion to a variety of host cells and the surface of biomaterials is a critical step in successful colonization and infection by Candida spp. Several essential oils are known to possess antifungal properties and are potentially used as antifungal agents. By studying the efficacy of essential oils against different pathogenic fungi in the genus Candida, we have evaluated the in vitro antifungal effects of eight essential oils used in aromatherapy, namely holy basil (Ocimum sactum L), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus DC), citronella grass (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt), kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix DC), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum Linn), Plai (Zingiber cassumunar Roxb), Curcuma (Curcuma longa Linn), and ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose), against Candida albicans and Candida krusei in both planktonic and biofilm form. The results revealed that among the tested essential oils, lemongrass oil exhibited the most effective killing activity and possessed the strongest inhibitory effect on Candida biofilm formation. In addition, lemongrass oil and its major constituents can inhibit germ tube formation, which might affect adherence. The data in this study indicates that lemongrass oil possessed antibiofilm activity and could modulate candidal colonization. Therefore, it is a promising essential oil to combat candidal colonization and infection.

Viabilidade de sementes de feijão caupi após o tratamento com óleo essencial de citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt)

O tratamento de sementes com óleos essenciais é um método alternativo que auxilia o manejo integrado de pragas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do tratamento de sementes de feijão Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. com o óleo essencial de citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt). Foi avaliado o efeito do óleo essencial de C. winterianus sobre V. unguiculata nas dosagens 20 μL, 15 μL, 10 μL, 5 μL e testemunha. A qualidade fisiológica das sementes foi determinada pela porcentagem de emergência, velocidade de emergência e índice de velocidade de emergência. A análise dos dados foi realizada no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, disposto em esquema fatorial 5 x 2 com cinco repetições. As sementes fumigadas apresentaram diferenças estatísticas entre os parâmetros avaliados em relação à testemunha. O óleo essencial de citronela revelou potencialidade alelopática sobre a germinação de sementes de feijão que variou de acordo com a concentração do óleo.

Vermicomposting potentiality of Perionyx excavatus for recycling of waste biomass of java citronella - An aromatic oil yielding plant

Laboratory investigation on vermicomposting efficacy of Perionyx excavatus for recycling of distillation waste biomass of java citronella ( Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) was carried out in two seasonal trials i.e. summer and winter periods. The experiment was conducted in earthen pots using a mixture of citronella waste material and cowdung in the proportion of 5:1. A control treatment without earthworms was setup for comparison of the results. The vermicompost had shown 5.8 folds reduction in C/N ratio and 5.6 folds enhancement in ash content. The nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) in the vermicompost had increase in the range of 1.2 – 4.1 fold than the initial level. The FT-IR spectra of the vermicompost confirmed increase in nitrogen rich compounds and decrease in aliphatic/aromatic compounds as compared to the initial level of the biowaste materials. The vermicomposting process is influenced by seasonal variation and summer was more productive than winter.

English

Cymbopogon winterianus&nbsp;Jowitt (&lsquo;Java citronella&rsquo;) is an important essential oil yielding aromatic grass cultivated in India and Brazil and its volatile essential oils extracted from its leaves are used in perfumery, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and flavoring industries. However, there is no report on any psychopharmacological study of&nbsp;C. winterianus&nbsp;leaf essential oil (LEO) available to date. In this&nbsp;study, the pharmacological effects of the LEO were investigated in animal models and its phytochemical analyses. GC-MS analysis showed a mixture of monoterpenes, as citronellal (36.19%), geraniol (32.82%) and citronellol (11.37%). LEO exhibited an inhibitory effect on the locomotor activity of mice, an antinociceptive effect by increasing the reaction time in the writhing and capsaicin tests. All doses induced a significant increase in the sleeping time of animals not having modified however, the latency. The LEO did not alter the remaining time of the animals on the rota-rod apparatus. These results suggest a possible central effect. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Cymbopogon winterianus,&nbsp;essential oil, CNS, behavioral effects, analgesic.

Vermicomposting of distillation waste of citronella plant ( Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.) employing Eudrilus eugeniae

Laboratory experiment on vermicomposting of distillation waste of java citronella ( Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.) was carried out employing Eudrilus eugeniae, in two seasonal trials, covering summer and winter periods. Two vermicomposting treatments were conducted in earthen pots, one with citronella plant waste only (CW) and the other, a mixture of citronella waste and cowdung in the proportion 5:1 (CW + CD). Vermicomposting of citronella waste resulted reduction in C/N ratio (83.5–87.7%), enhancement of ash content and a number of macro and micronutrients. The FT-IR spectroscopy of the vermicompost revealed the reduction in aliphatic and aromatic compound as well as increase in amide group after the 105 days stabilization process. The vermicompost output was significantly enhanced in CW + CD treatment than CW treatment. Even, nutrient content of the vermicompost was also higher in CW + CD treatment than CW alone indicating the positive role of cowdung in improvement of quantity and quality.

Growth Inhibition and Morphological Alterations of Trichophyton Rubrum Induced by Essential oil from Cymbopogon Winterianus Jowitt Ex Bor.

Trichophyton rubrum is one of the most common fungi causer of dermatophytosis, mycosis that affect humans and animals around the world. Researches aiming new products with antifungal activity become necessary to overcome difficulties on treatment of these infections. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of essential oil from Cymbopogon winterianus against the dermatophyte T. rubrum. The antifungal screening was performed by solid medium diffusion method with 16 T. rubrum strains, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) were determined using the microdilution method. The effects on mycelial dry weight and morphology were also observed. Screening showed essential oil in natura inhibited all the tested strains, with inhibition zones between 24-28 mm diameter. MIC50 and MIC90 values of the essential oil were 312 μg/mL for nearly all the essayed strains (93.75 %) while the MFC50 and MFC90 values were about eight times higher than MIC for all tested strains. All tested essential oil concentrations managed to inhibit strongly the mycelium development. Main morphological changes on the fungal strains observed under light microscopy, which were provided by the essential oil include loss of conidiation, alterations concerning form and pigmentation of hyphae. In the oil presence, colonies showed folds, cream color and slightly darker than the control, pigment production was absent on the reverse and with evident folds. It is concluded that C. winterianus essential oil showed activity against T. rubrum. Therefore, it could be known as potential antifungal compound especially for protection against dermatophytosis.