Compound Characterization of Citronella Oil from Riau and West Java Using GC-MS

Abstract

Indonesia has various types of oil-producing plants. Essential oils have the characteristics of a liquid, volatile and have a very distinctive aroma. Citronella oil (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor) is an essential oil obtained from steam distillation of the stems and leaves of fragrant citronella. Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the compounds contained in citronella essential oil from Riau and its differences with citronella essential oil from West Java districts using GC-MS. Materials and Method: This study used a sample of citronella from the district of Riau. The results obtained were 5.6 mL of citronella oil from steam distillation of 380 grams of leaves and stems of citronella fragrance in Riau district, with a yield value of 1.3%. And physical tests were carried out which included color, specific gravity and refractive index, all of which met the requirements according to SNI 06-3953-1995. Results: Based on the results of compound analysis carried out using GC-MS, there are 12 compounds that comply with ISO 3848 of 2016 in Citronella Oil, Riau and West Java (Alpha-Pinene, Limonene, Beta-Linalool, Citronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citronellol Acetate, Eugenol, Beta-Elemene, Germacrene D, Gama-Cadinene, Elemol). The same 3 main components were found in both samples, namely citronellol, citronellol and geraniol. Conclusion: The difference in the main components, namely citronellol and citronellol, in the Riau sample had lower levels, namely, 13.76% and 6.22%, while in the sample from West Java the levels were 37.89% and 10.21%, respectively. However, the levels of geraniol in the Riau district sample were higher (39.47%) than those from West Java (26.84%).