ABSTRACT
Cymbopogon (Poaceae) represents an important genus of about 120 species that grow in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. On account of their diverse uses in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and flavor, and agriculture industries, Cymbopogon grasses are cultivated (medicultured) on a large scale, especially in the tropics and subtropics. There is a large worldwide demand for the essential oils of Cymbopogon species (Dutta 1982; Gunther 1956). They are well known as a source of commercially valuable compounds such as geraniol, geranyl acetate, citral (neral and geranial), citronellal, piperitone, eugenol, etc., which are either used as such in perfumery and allied industries or as starting materials for the synthesis of other products commonly used in perfumery (Shahi and Tava 1993). Distillation of the grass produces an essential oil and a hydrosol (distillate water) that have powerful antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties which are used effectively against infectious and inflammatory symptoms. Several Cymbopogon species are being cultivated in different parts of world. Lemongrass, palmarosa, and citronella essential oils are the main raw material products of the cultivated cymbopogons. However, other Cymbopogon species are also grown in other parts of the world (Oyen and Dung 1999).
