Analysis of Chemical Composition and Oil Yield of Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus in Thanamalwila Area
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Date
2018
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Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Citronella (Cymbopogon nardusand Cymbopogon winterianus) plant is a perennial crop which is used to extract citronella oil as a commercial product. Citronella is cultivated in Southern coastal area of Sri Lanka, mostly in Matara and Hambantota districts. Citronella cultivation is recently started in Thanamalwila area. Variety, climatic and soil condition can affect the yield and chemical composition of citronella oil. Objective of this study was to analyze and compare the oil yield and chemical composition of two species cultivated in Thanamalwila area to select the best species for oil extraction. Steam distillation technique was used to extract the citronella oil and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was followed to analyze the chemical composition. It was found significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentages of Citronellol (7.14%), Citronella! (9.02%) and Geraniol (16.01%) in Cymbopogon nardusthan in Cymbopogon winterianus in which the respective values were 4.68%, 4.81% and 6.3%. There were no significant differences between two species with respect to their Camphene, Limonene and Borneol contents. The oil yield of Cymbopogon nardus was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of Cymbopogon winterianus. Therefore, as far as the oil yield and chemical composition of oil are concerned, Cymbopogon nardus is the best variety to cultivate in Thanamalwila area.
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Keywords
Animal Sciences, Agriculture, Animal Production, Animal Production Technology