Biological activity of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and its applications in industry

Abstract

In the investigation, an analysis was carried out on the importance of the biological activity of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), its benefits and application in the food and non-food industry. The objective was to identify, analyze, organize and compare the information on the bioactive components of the plant species in the industry. The method used is exploratory with a documentary approach of secondary order, since a detailed search of bibliographic information of documents obtained in scientific bases that support the work was carried out. 8 bioactive components and 11 constituents of essential oils were determined, in relation to their use in industry, 2 applications were determined: in food used in beverages (energizing, moisturizing, functional) and as a food additive (antioxidants, preservatives and flavorings) and in the non-food area in the agricultural area (insecticide, fungicides and herbicide), in the cosmetics area (perfume, deodorants and shampoos) and in the pharmacological area (antibacterial and antifungal). The Cympogon citratus for its biological components has been used in the industry during the last years, in the non-food field. Myrcene, citronella, citronellol and geraniol are the components that are most used in the non-food area and citral is the bioactive that is used in the food part.