The genus Cymbopogon is a part of the family Graminae and consists of about 140 plant species. The oil is used as an ingredient of aerosol deodorants, soaps, household detergents, floor polishes.l Lemongrass oil is obtained cori1mercially by steam distillation of two species of the plant - Cymbopogonflexosus Stapf. (denoted 'East Indian' and is indigenous to India) and C. citratus Stapf. (denoted 'West Indian'). Oils supplied by Guatemala and China are among the most highly regarded lemon grass oils.

Lemongrass is used in Jamaica in the production of teabags for local consumption. There is no report of the oil being produced on a large scale. The essential oil is produced on a large scale in India and is noted for the high citral content. The oil quality in the plant species produced in the West Indies (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf) is thought to be attributed to the presence of the compound myrcene which readily polymerizes on exposure to light and air. Tropical climates are ideal for the growth of lemongrass and at least two types of lemon grass are suspected to grow in Jamaica. Local farmers tend to avoid the use of pesticides and fertilizers when growing the crop. Large-scale planting of lemongrass is unknown locally. Taking six to eight months to mature, harvesting should take place during the dry season.2

Citral occurs as a mixture of two stereoisomeric aldehydic monoterpenes, geranial and neral. The compounds are light, oily liquids with a lemony odour.

Citral can be extracted from the lemongrass oil by fractional distillation to produce ionones which are violet-like fragrances displaying various applications including use as a synthetic perfumery chemical, a raw material in vitamin A production and as a modifier in some floral compositions. Ionone is manufactured by the condensation of citral with acetone in the presence of sodium methylate to produce pseudoionone which is then cyclised t9 the target molecule with sulphuric acid.3

Lemongrass leaves and rhizomes are used to treat colds, fevers, malaria and pneumonia. The oil is thought to be antibacterial and is used as a preservative in drugs and certain cosmetics. Insecticidal activity has also been reported in the plant.

Digestion is thought to be aided by the use of this plant and it also reputedly arrests vomiting. The oil is used to treat flatulence and gastric irritability.

• Sample Collection
  Lemongrass was collected from the parishes of St. Thomas, Manchester and Westmoreland.


• Soil Sample Analysis
  Soil samples (6 and 12 inch depths) were collected from each location where lemongrass was obtained. Samples were analysed for moisture content, pH, trace elements and the concentration of the main elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were determined.


• Sample Preparation
  The lemon grass leaves and stems were cut into one-inch lengths using clippers. Analysis was conducted on both fresh and dried samples. The dried samples were prepared by air drying on a shelf in a laboratory with indirect sunlight.


• Moisture Content Determination
  The fresh sample (approximately 2.5 g) was weighed and placed in an oven (70°C) over a 24 hour period after which the sample was reweighed and the moisture content calculated. All samples were analysed in triplicate.


• Extraction of Essential Oil
  The oil was extracted from the fresh and dried samples by hydrodistillation. For the fresh analysis, lemongrass (approximately 600 g) was weighed in triplicate in round bottom flasks (5L capacity) and water (1500 mL) added. Hydrodistillation was effected for approximately six hours utilizing a Clevenger-type apparatus for recovery of the oil.

Approximately 120 g of the dried leaves and stems of the lemongrass was used in the dried analysis. The samples were prepared in a similar manner to the fresh grass and assessed in triplicate.