Varietal differences in the constituents of citronella oil

Gas chromatography of citronella oil showed that the Ceylon variety (Lenabatu) contained large amounts of monoterpene hydrocarbons, while the Java variety (Mahapengiri) contained only small amounts, mainly limonene. Both types contained comparable amounts of geraniol, and the Java type more of citronellol and citronellal. In addition the Ceylon type contained tricyclene, methyl eugenol, methyl isoeugenol, eugenol and l-borneol. The GLC profiles enable the identification of the type of oil and the detection of kerosene as a possible adulterant. The variety that grows wild in Ceylon (Mana) was quite different to both cultivated types.