The aromatic crop rosagrass (Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. Var. motia Burk.) its high yielding genotypes, perfumery, and pharmacological potential: A review

Abstract

Palmarosa, also known as rosagrass, is an important source of essential oils used worldwide in the fragrance, cosmetic, and soap industries. Palmarosa is a multi-harvest, perennial aromatic crop that grows 1.8–2.4 m tall. Steam distillation yields an essential oil with a rose-like perfume. It contains geraniol (65–85 %), geranyl acetate (6–12 %), citral (1–2%), citronellol (6.4 %), linalool (2–4%), and trace amounts of α-pinene, myrcene, terpinolene, borneol, caryophyllene, farnesol, and geranyl butyrate. The oil percentage ranges between 0.4 and 0.7 %, depending on the season or environment, crop stage, and crop management parameters. Different cultivated varieties, including PRC-1, Vaishnavi, Trishna, Tripta, CIMAP-Harsh, OPD-1, OPD-2, RRL (B)-77, IW 31245, IW 3629, and IW 3244, have been developed and made commercially available. Biotechnological strategies, such as metabolic engineering or cell culture techniques, can help improve chemical compounds for commercial products. It can be cultivated in degraded, marginal, and salt-affected soil and produces a greater economic return than traditional crops; yet, however, the plant requires significant fertility and water availability to reach its full potential. Because palmarosa oil gives a lingering rose aroma to mixes, it is useful for flavoring tobacco and soap. It is also a source of very high-quality geraniol. Geraniol is highly valued as both a smell and a building block for complex chemicals, and its manufacturing generates employment opportunities in associated industries.