Citronella: chemical composition and biological activities

This study focuses on the antifungal and insecticidal activities of essential oils extracted from fresh and dried lemongrass leaves, and the identification of the chemical compounds they may contain. The in vitro use of these oils revealed significant fungicidal and fungistatic potential against various fungal species at different concentrations. Similarly, insecticidal and repellent effects were revealed for both oils against stored food pests. These activities were attributed to certain chemical compounds, namely ¿-myrcene, neral and geranial, which were identified by GC-MS.