Citronella Essential Oil

Citronella Essential Oil (CAS 8000-29-1, INCI name -distilled essential oil standardized to citronellal >35%, citronellol >85%, distilled from Cymbopogon winterianus leaves. Baisifu supplies food-grade, BP/USP and Ph.Eur. equivalent batches from a Xi’an facility, with every drum shipped with a COA, allergen declaration and IFRA documentation.

Botanical identity and chemistry

Citronella Essential Oil is the steam-distilled volatile oil obtained from the fresh or partially dried leaves of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (Java citronella), a perennial grass of the Poaceae family cultivated in southern China for its high citronellal and citronellol content. The oil is the global benchmark material for botanical insect repellency; its two principal markers, the aldehyde citronellal and the alcohol citronellol, together account for the fresh, grassy-citrus, slightly waxy character that distinguishes citronella from lemongrass and palmarosa.

Distillation and standardisation

Leaves are harvested, lightly wilted and charged to stainless-steel stills for steam distillation at atmospheric pressure. The crude oil is decanted, dried and standardised in-house to a minimum of 35 percent citronellal and 85 percent total citronellol (including its esters) by GC-MS against pharmacopoeial reference standards. Baisifu does not dilute with synthetic citronellal or blend in lemongrass oil; every drum is single-botanical-source Java citronella.

Active profile by GC-MS

Beyond the two principal markers, the GC-MS fingerprint carries a reproducible secondary cast of geraniol, citronellyl acetate, elemol and limonene. Baisifu records the full chromatogram on each COA; the citronellal-to-citronellol ratio and the elemol level are the metrics that distinguish Java-type citronella from Ceylon-type, and both are printed on every COA so buyers can confirm the chemotype without ambiguity.

Physical and sensory behaviour

The oil is a clear, mobile, pale-yellow to yellow liquid with a density near 0.88 g/cm3, a refractive index around 1.470 at 20 degrees Celsius and a boiling point in the 200 to 230 degree range. Its odour is a fresh, grassy-citrus, slightly waxy top-to-body note with a persistent dry-down; in perfumery it blends with citrus, floral and herbaceous materials and is the backbone of insect-repellent and functional fragrance compositions.

Typical applications

Citronella Essential Oil enters the following formulation workflows:

• botanical insect repellents
• outdoor candles and torch fuels
• household surface cleaners
• functional perfumery and soaps
• aromatherapy and wellness blends
• pet-care repellent formulations

Formulation and blending notes

The oil is miscible with ethanol and fixed oils and soluble in propylene glycol at typical use levels. Citronella has no significant phototoxicity and carries a relatively wide IFRA margin, which makes it a preferred material for leave-on and outdoor applications. The citronellal content can oxidise on prolonged air exposure, so nitrogen blanketing and air-protected storage are used; the peroxide value is monitored and flagged on the COA.

COA and batch documentation

Each drum ships with a Certificate of Analysis carrying the GC-MS chromatogram, citronellal and citronellol assay, peroxide value, specific gravity, refractive index, heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) and pesticide residue screen. An allergen declaration, an IFRA conformity statement and a Statement of Origin complete the pack, giving QC and regulatory teams a single-shipment document set.

Regulatory and compliance

Citronellal is listed as FEMA GRAS 2307 and citronellol as FEMA GRAS 2309; citronella oil is generally recognised as safe in flavour and fragrance applications. The oil is permitted under the IFRA Code of Practice with a relatively wide margin. Under EU CLP the concentrated oil is classified as hazardous (flammable liquid category 3, aspiration toxicant category 1, skin sensitiser category 1), so Hazmat labelling and UN 1993 shipping names apply for bulk movement.

Packaging, storage and supply

Citronella Essential Oil is filled into 180 kg HDPE drums or 50 kg sample drums, nitrogen-blanketed and sealed under COA. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; the recommended storage temperature is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius with a shelf life of 24 months from manufacture in original sealed packaging. Baisifu ships ex-Xi’an, MOQ 50 kg for sample development and 1,000 kg and above for production orders; standard lead time 7 to 15 days depending on batch availability, with express air freight on request.

Questions buyers ask

Is this Java-type or Ceylon-type citronella?

Baisifu supplies Java-type citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus); the citronellal-to-citronellol ratio and the elemol level, printed on every COA, distinguish it from Ceylon-type (C. nardus). Java-type carries a higher citronellal floor and is the preferred grade for insect-repellent applications.

What citronellal and citronellol levels can you guarantee?

The standardised grade is assayed by GC-MS to a minimum of 35 percent citronellal and 85 percent total citronellol against pharmacopoeial reference standards; the exact figures and the full secondary fingerprint are printed on the COA of every drum.

Can you supply a repellent-grade formulation?

The standardised Java-type grade is the direct raw material for botanical insect repellents; Baisifu can also provide custom blends with geranium and lemongrass for candle and topical repellent formulations on request, with the applicable documentation pack.

Need specifications, COA, or a wholesale quote? Contact Baisifu — typical response within 24 hours.