Extraction and Characterisation of Essential Oils from Cymbopogon citratus Cultivated in Anambra State

Essential oils extracted from aromatic plants have gained increasing relevance in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, driven by demand for natural bioactive compounds. This study extracts and characterises the essential oil from Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemon grass, cultivated under small-scale farming conditions in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. Fresh plant material was subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and oil yield was calculated gravimetrically. Chemical composition of the essential oil was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the extracted oil were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Aspergillus niger using the disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Physico-chemical properties including refractive index, specific gravity, and optical rotation were also measured. GC-MS analysis identified citral as the dominant component, accounting for more than 75 percent of the total oil composition, alongside minor constituents including myrcene, geraniol, and linalool. Significant inhibitory activity was observed against all tested organisms, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 milligrams per millilitre. The results validate the antimicrobial applications of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil and suggest potential for its incorporation into locally produced pharmaceutical and food preservation formulations. Keywords: lemon grass, essential oil, Cymbopogon citratus, GC-MS, Anambra State