Essential oil of Cymbopogon nardus from Timor island: Excellent source of geraniol

Cymbopogon nardus was one of the aromatic plants that commonly found growing in dry land of Timor. It was well known as producer of citronella oil that has been widely use in pharmaceutical and perfumery industry. In this study, the essential oil of C. nardus was obtained from the hydro-distillation of the dried leaves. The essential oil was further analysed its chemical composition and its antibacterial activity. GC-MS spectra showed high content of trans-geraniol about 63.73% followed by β-citronellol (8.67%), δ-cadinene (7.31%) and trans-caryophyllene (3.41%). The essential oil of C. nardus strongly inhibited the growth of Staphyloccus aureus and Escherechia coli with diameter of zone inhibition were observed at 20.7 and 21.9 mm, respectively. This is the first report of the highest content of geraniol from essential oil of C. nardus.