Citronella Oil Specifications Explained: Citronellal, Geraniol and Total Alcohols

ADD PICTURE HERE – Picture 1: Citronella oil bottle with citronella grass and a test report (1200 x 630 px)

Quick Answer

• Citronellal = the main aldehyde. Gives the fresh, lemony, insect-repellent character. Good Java oil usually has about 32–45%.
• Geraniol = the main alcohol. Gives a soft, rosy-sweet note. Java oil usually has about 18–25% free geraniol.
• Total alcohols (as geraniol) = the main trade benchmark. Good Java oil is usually 85% minimum.
• A common Indian trade description is "Citronellal 35% min, Total Geraniol 85% min".
• Always buy against a batch-wise COA with GC report, not a general spec sheet.

Citronella Oil at a Glance

Product name	Citronella Oil (Java type)
Botanical name	Cymbopogon winterianus (Java); Cymbopogon nardus (Ceylon)
CAS number (citronella oil)	8000-29-1
CAS number (Java type)	91771-61-8
CAS number (Ceylon type)	89998-15-2
EINECS / EC number	294-954-7 (Java); 289-753-6 (Ceylon)
FEMA number	2308
Hindi name	Citronella ka Tel (सिट्रोनेला तेल)
Plant family	Poaceae (grass family)
Part used	Leaves / aerial grass
Extraction	Steam distillation
Key components	Citronellal, geraniol, citronellol, geranyl acetate, elemol, limonene
Reference standards	ISO 3848 (Java type), ISO 3849 (Ceylon type)
Appearance	Pale yellow to yellow liquid

Typical Specifications: Java vs Ceylon Citronella Oil

Parameter	Java type	Ceylon type
Citronellal	About 32–45%	About 5–15%
Geraniol (free)	About 18–25%	About 15–25%
Citronellol	About 9–15%	Low (a few %)
Total alcohols (as geraniol)	85% minimum	55% minimum
Specific gravity (20°C)	About 0.880–0.895	About 0.893–0.910
Refractive index (20°C)	About 1.466–1.475	About 1.479–1.490
Aroma	Fresh, lemony, sweet	Woody, grassy, slightly smoky
Main use	Repellents, soaps, detergents, aroma chemicals	Soaps and household products

These are typical trade ranges for guidance only. Crop, season and distillation change the exact figures – always confirm on the batch COA.

Citronellal – The Repellent Note

• The main component of Java citronella oil.
• Gives the sharp, fresh, lemony top note.
• Mainly responsible for the oil's insect-repellent reputation.
• Used as raw material for hydroxycitronellal and other aroma chemicals.
• Higher citronellal = stronger, fresher odour and more value for repellent makers.
• It is an aldehyde, so it oxidises slowly with air and heat. Old or badly stored oil shows lower citronellal.

Geraniol – The Sweet, Rosy Note

• The main alcohol in citronella oil.
• Adds a soft, rose-like sweetness that rounds off the sharp citronellal.
• Important for soaps, detergents and perfumery where a pleasant, lasting odour matters.
• Used for isolating geraniol and making rose-type aroma chemicals.
• "Free geraniol" on a GC report is only geraniol itself – it is not the same as "total geraniol".

Total Alcohols (Total Geraniol) – The Trade Benchmark

• Also written as "total alcohols calculated as geraniol" or "total geraniol".
• Measured by an acetylation test, not by GC. The result is expressed as if everything were geraniol.
• It counts geraniol, citronellol and other alcohols – and under test conditions, much of the citronellal is counted too.
• That is why total geraniol (85%+) is much higher than free geraniol (18–25%). Both figures can be correct on the same COA.
• It is the simplest single number to judge overall richness of the oil.
• Low total alcohols (for example below 80% in Java oil) usually means a weak, old or diluted lot.

Other Components to Know

• Citronellol – sweet, floral alcohol; adds body to the odour.
• Geranyl acetate – fruity-floral ester; small but useful in perfumery.
• Elemol – woody note; helps the odour last longer.
• Limonene – light citrus top note; normally a few percent.
• Methyl isoeugenol and camphene – typical of Ceylon type; their presence in "Java" oil is a warning sign.

Physical Tests and What They Show

• Specific gravity – a quick check against dilution with lighter oils or solvents.
• Refractive index – a fast identity check; values outside range point to mixing.
• Optical rotation – helps confirm natural origin and type.
• Solubility in alcohol – good oil dissolves clear; cloudiness can mean added fixed oil or mineral oil.
• Colour and clarity – should be clear, free from water and sediment.

Key Components and Their CAS Numbers

Component	CAS number	Odour / role
Citronellal	106-23-0	Fresh, lemony; main repellent note
Geraniol	106-24-1	Sweet, rosy; main alcohol
Citronellol	106-22-9	Floral, rosy; adds body
Geranyl acetate	105-87-3	Fruity-floral ester
Elemol	639-99-6	Woody; helps odour last
d-Limonene	5989-27-5	Light citrus top note

Use the oil's CAS number (8000-29-1, or the Java / Ceylon number your buyer asks for) on COA, MSDS and export documents. Component CAS numbers are useful for allergen and IFRA declarations.

Which Specification Matters for Your Product?

Application	Spec to watch	What to ask for
Mosquito sprays, candles, coils, roll-ons	High citronellal	Java oil, citronellal 35%+, fresh stock
Soaps, detergents, floor cleaners, phenyl	Total alcohols and odour consistency	Java oil, total geraniol 85%+, same odour lot to lot
Agarbatti and dhoop	Odour strength and clean burn	Standard Java grade; approve against sample
Aroma chemical isolation	Citronellal and total geraniol	GC report for every batch, tight ranges
Perfumery and cosmetics	Clean odour, light colour	Rectified / redistilled grade, IFRA and allergen data
Pet care and household sprays	Consistency and safety data	COA plus MSDS for each lot

How to Read a Citronella Oil COA

• Check the botanical name – Cymbopogon winterianus for Java type.
• Match the batch number and date on the COA with the drum label.
• Look for citronellal % and total alcohols as geraniol % – these two decide the price.
• See whether the figures come from GC (gas chromatography) and the stated test method.
• Compare each result with the specification limit printed beside it.
• Check physical values (specific gravity, refractive index) fall inside the normal range.
• A generic spec sheet without a batch number is not a COA.

Red Flags in Specifications

• Citronellal looks high but total alcohols are low – possible spiking with synthetic citronellal.
• Specific gravity below range – possible dilution with kerosene or light solvents.
• Cloudy in alcohol or oily residue on paper – possible mixing with fixed or mineral oil.
• Ceylon-type markers in "Java" oil.
• Same COA figures sent for every batch.
• Price far below the market rate.

Questions to Ask Your Supplier

• Is this Java or Ceylon type?
• What are the citronellal and total geraniol figures for this batch?
• Can you send the GC report with the COA?
• Can I get a pre-shipment sample from the same lot?
• When was the oil distilled, and how is it stored?
• Do you provide MSDS, and IFRA data if needed?

How Storage Affects the Numbers

• Air, heat and light slowly reduce citronellal and change the odour.
• Store in full, tightly closed HDPE or aluminium containers.
• Keep in a cool, dark place away from direct sun.
• Avoid half-empty drums for long periods – more air means faster oxidation.
• Re-test old stock before using it in a new production run.

Why Buy Citronella Oil from Liana Health Care

• GMP-certified and AYUSH-approved manufacturer since 2011.
• Java type citronella oil with batch-wise COA.
• Samples available for bulk buyers before ordering.
• Bulk packing in drums and cans; white label and contract manufacturing.
• Supplying domestic and export buyers from Meerut, India.

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C-9, Sec-3, Sushant City, Ansal API, Delhi–Haridwar Bypass Road, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh – 250002, India

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