Comparison of essential oils composition of Cymbopogon species grown in Sikkim

Comparative study on the essential oil constituents of Cymbopogon winterianus (Citronella) and Cymbopogon flexuosus (Lemongrass) was done by using GC-MS. These Cymbopogon species were grown under organic condition in the research farm of ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Sikkim during 2011. The major constituents of citronella were beta citronellal (26.16%), geraniol (15.90%), alpha citral (13.87%), beta citral (11.74%), beta citronellol (10.84%) and limonene (4.15%). In case of lemon grass the major constituents were found to be alpha citral (41.89%), beta citral (34.90%), 1-methyl-1-ethylcyclopentane (3.13%) and toluene (2.83%). The results revealed comparatively higher proportion of geraniol (15.90%) in citronella and total citral content (76.79%) in lemon grass, which are important sources for perfumery, pharmaceutical and flavour industry.