CITRONELLA (CYMBOPOGON WINTERIANUS)

Citronella belongs to Family Graminae. It is an essential source of citronella oil and is

predominantly grown in Java and Ceylon. There are two cultivated types – Mahapengeri and
Lenabatu. These two types derived from wild “mana” grass. Cymbopogon coonfertiflorus
(Stapf), which is the parent material of all commercially, cultivated citronella grass. (Citronella
Production, n.d.)

Varieties of Citronella

Lenabatu (Ceylon type) – Cymbopogon nardus (L) Rendle Adropogon nardus Ceylon de Jong
narrow-leafed, hardier and long-lived. It is reported to contain only 15 – 65% of total acetyl sable
expressed as geranial. Used as deodorant for mosquito repellant. Scent for soaps, sprays,
disinfectants, paints and polish.

Mahapengari (Java type) – Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (Adropogon nardus Java de Jong)
broad leafed, requires good soil and much care in growing and cultivating. This variety contains
around 85% “total acetyl sable expressed as geranial. Used as starting materials for the
preparation of industrially important perfumery compounds derived from “geranial” citronella.

Citronella is commonly mistaken for or referred to as Lemongrass, as they share a similar

appearance, growth, and processing method; however, the two plants simply belong to the same
plant family.

According to the study about extraction of essential oil of citronella (Wu, et. al. n.d.), there is an
improvement in the essential oil quality with a yield of 4.40% using the SC-CO2 method in
extraction. And in comparison, to the hydro distillation extraction, 41 compounds obtained of
SFE, while 35 compounds of HD. Antioxidant activities of SFE oil are also better than those of
HD which made them conclude that SFE is an alternative processing method to extract essential
oils.
Economic Potential
On average, citronella grass yields 0.7% fluctuating from 0.5% to 1.2% depending on the climate
generating 12 – 35 metric tons per hectares equivalent to 84 – 247 kilograms of oil (Bureau of
Plant Industry, 2019). In Lopez, Quezon, ALDAWA Cooperative manage a citronella farm and
directly distill the plant parts to produce an end-product of hydrosol and essential oil sold in the
local market. For every harvest, farmers can take 110,000 bundles of the grass that is 6 kilograms
each and can produce 1,100 litres of oil amounting PhP 6000 per litre. Citronella grass grows
rapidly that farmers can harvest four (4) times with a maximum income of over 6 million pesos
per harvest (Gancenia, 2021).
Based on the study of Economic Potential of Citronella Production in the Philippines by
Camacho, et.al, (2015) it was estimated that 96 L ha sup -1 was produced per harvest which has
a gross revenue of PhP115,200.00. With three harvests during the first year, the gross revenue
was PhP 345,600.00. Considering all costs, the total net revenue of oil production during the first
year of harvest was PhP135,562.20. Results also showed that pursuing such enterprise could be
economically viable since its Net Present Value (NPV) in 10 years can reach as much as
PhP2.891 M at 12% discount rate. This can be translated to PhP240.917 NPV/ha. The projected
internal rate of return for the same period is around 91%, a fairly attractive return on investment.
The overall employment generation potential of the venture is also fairly attractive with an
average of 936 MD/ha/ 1 yr.
Market Demand
The global citronella oil market is primarily driven by the increasing demand from perfume and
cosmetic industries. The essential oil is being sold on a per liter basis using either a clear or
brown opaque bottle. Price per liter is pegged at PhP1,200.00. Customers who bought the
essential oil by the liter use the oil for their small businesses. The buyers purchased the oil
mostly in retail and not by the liter since many of them needed only small amounts. The cheapest
retail, 15 mL, was sold for PhP30.00 per bottle, while a 500-mL bottle costs PhP700.00.
(Camacho et al., n.d.)
Nowadays, citronella essential oil is available in any online store platform to which the price for
a 50 mL ranges from 250 – 300 pesos. Moreover, young living price for 15 mL essential oil cost
1,510.00.
Utilitarian and Aesthetic
Has various industrial uses to which its oil is highly valued as it is used in perfumes, soaps,
spray, disinfectant, paints and polish. An ointment containing 25% of this oil is an excellent
protection against mosquitoes.
Used in aromatherapy applications, Citronella Essential Oil slows or prevents the growth or
spread of harmful airborne bacteria, repels flying insects, uplifts negative moods, and relaxes the
body and mind. It is reputed to reduce muscles spasms, ease headaches, and boost energy.
Regarding food, citronella oil is a strong culinary flavoring agent found in alcoholic beverages,
baked products, frozen dairy, morning cereals, gelatins, puddings, nonalcoholic beverages, soft
candy, and hard candy at low quantities.
Export Value (Still on import)
Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) oil is widely used around the globe for its variety of uses
extending from food production, medicine, and fragrances. In the Philippines, citronella
production is still in its early stage but share a small portion to the industry through importation
generating an average income of 1.5 million dollars annually. House Resolution No. 734 as
initiated by Luis R. Villafuerte aims to establish extracting stations for prospective plants that
have potential and may yield essential oils like citronella grass.
Based on the survey conducted by the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-Philippines), about 770 ha is planted with
citronella in various regions of the country by 30 citronella oil producers. Despite this, the
country is still importing citronella oil since most of these producers have intermittent operations
with irregular production. In 1994, as pointed out by Torres and Tio (2001), the country
spent USD171,852 or PhP4,562,309 for the importation of citronella oil, ironically, from
countries that are also known citronella oil importers like Hongkong, Netherlands, Germany,
Full Paper SC Camacho et al. France, and Spain. The reason is the low price of imported
citronella oil compared to the locally produced oil. (Camacho et al., n.d.)

But up until now, our country is still importing citronella grass in large quantities although the
grass from which this oil is derived can be grown profitably under Philippine conditions.
Availability
Citronella grass is found to be indigenous in the region. It is planted in backyard scale and used
for bathing and other medicinal purposes only.
It thrives well under tropical and subtropical climate with abundant moisture and sunshine
therefore being cultivated in other country as well beside Philippines such as China, Sri Lanka,
etc. Moreover, here in Bicol region, this can be found in Albay, Camarines Norte and Masbate.

Reference;

Baker, B., Grant, J., & Kuenen, R. (n.d.). Citronella and Citronella Oil Profile.
https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/56119/citronella-MRP-NYSIPM.pdf?
sequence=1
Camacho, S., Carandang, A., Camacho, L., Gevana, D., Carandang, M., Lorida, R., & Bandian,
Ma. N. (n.d.). Economic Potential of Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) production in the
Philippines. https://www.cabi.org/gara/mobile/FullTextPDF/2016/20163025048.pdf
Citronella Production. (n.d.).
http://bpi.da.gov.ph/bpi/images/Production_guide/pdf/Citronella.pdf
Global Citronella Oil Market Report 2021. (n.d.).
https://www.cognitivemarketresearch.com/chemical-%26-materials/citronella-oil-market-
report#request_sample
Wu, H. (n.d.). Essential Oil Extracted from Cymbopogon citronella Leaves by Supercritical
Carbon Dioxide: Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities. 02 Jan 2019.
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jamc/2019/8192439/

(Baker et al., n.d.)

(Global Citronella Oil Market Report 2021, n.d.)