What is geraniol oil?

Geraniol is a commercially important terpene alcohol occurring in the essential oils of several aromatic plants. In addition to its pleasant odour, geraniol is known to exhibit insecticidal and repellent properties and used as a natural pest control agent exhibiting low toxicity.

What chemicals are in citronella oil?

Citronellol, citronellal, and geraniol are the major components of oil of citronella.

What is the function of geraniol?

Geraniol is produced by the scent glands of honeybees to mark nectar-bearing flowers and locate the entrances to their hives. It is also commonly used as an insect repellent, especially for mosquitoes.

What contains geraniol?

Geraniol is the primary component of rose oil, palmarosa oil, and citronella oil. It also occurs in small quantities in geranium, lemon, and many other essential oils. Furthermore, geraniol is produced by the scent glands of honeybees to mark nectar-bearing flowers and locate the entrances to their hives.

Is geraniol good for skin?

A volatile fragrance ingredient extracted from geranium, geraniol is capable of causing sensitivity when applied to skin. Despite the lesser concern, research has shown that, like many fragrant oil components, geraniol can oxidize in the presence of air, causing damage when appied to skin’s surface.

Is geraniol safe for humans?

Geraniol is a moderate skin irritant and can cause allergies. Exposed to air, its oxidation products are more irritant and allergenic. Otherwise geraniol is considered as rather safe for humans, domestic animals and the environment.

Is citronella toxic to breathe?

When applied to the skin: Citronella oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin as an insect repellent. It might cause skin reactions or irritation in some people. When inhaled: It’s LIKELY UNSAFE to inhale citronella oil. Lung damage has been reported.

Is citronella oil toxic?

Oil of citronella is a biochemical pesticide which has a non-toxic mode of action. It is registered as an insect repellent (feeding inhibitor) and as an animal repellent.

Is geraniol oil safe?

Geraniol is a safe and effective, natural origin, Biocide active ingredient. Researchers have recently found geraniol is a natural and effective repellent to use in biocidal products to protect humans and animals from microorganisms and insects.

Why is geraniol bad for skin?

How poisonous is citronella?

What kind of chemicals can citronella oil be used for?

The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol. These chemicals find extensive use in soap, candles and incense, perfumery, cosmetic, and flavouring industries throughout the world.

Which is better citronella oil or geraniol oil?

The higher proportions of citronellal and geraniol in the Java type oil make it a better source for perfumery derivatives. The standard quality of Java type from Indonesia is regulated by Indonesian authority under SNI 06-3953-1995, which requires citronellal minimum 35% and total geraniol minimum 85%.

Why is Citronella used as an insect repellent?

These species are used for the production of citronella oil, which is used in soaps, as an insect repellent (especially mosquitoes) in insect sprays and candles, and in aromatherapy. The principal chemical constituents of citronella, geraniol and citronellol, are antiseptics, hence their use in household disinfectants and soaps.

Which is the most common isomer of citronellol?

Both enantiomers occur in nature. (+)-Citronellol, which is found in citronella oils, including Cymbopogon nardus (50%), is the more common isomer. (−)-Citronellol is found in the oils of rose (18–55%) and Pelargonium geraniums. Citronellol can be prepared by hydrogenation of geraniol or nerol.