Bulk Lemongrass Oil: Specs, Dosage and Sourcing
6 min read
Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is one of the highest-volume Indian essential oils. Its commercial value is driven almost entirely by citral content, so procurement teams should treat the assay figure — not the price per kilo alone — as the real unit of comparison.
What to specify when you buy
A complete lemongrass oil specification prevents most quality disputes before they start. Ask for these parameters on the COA of every batch, not just the first shipment.
- Citral (geranial + neral) assay, minimum 70% for standard commercial grade
- Refractive index and specific gravity within the ISO monograph band
- Optical rotation and solubility in 70% alcohol
- Full GC-MS chromatogram, not just a summary table
- Heavy metals and pesticide residue screening for food-contact use
Typical dosage by application
Use levels below are industry-typical starting points for formulation trials. Always confirm against your own regulatory position — IFRA standards for fragrance, FEMA/FSSAI limits for flavour.
| Application | Typical use level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bar & liquid soap | 0.3 – 1.0% | Citral is alkali-sensitive; add at cooling stage |
| Detergents / home care | 0.1 – 0.5% | Cost-driven; often blended with citronella |
| Fine fragrance top note | 0.05 – 0.5% | Restricted under IFRA for citral; check current amendment |
| Aromatherapy blends | 1 – 3% in carrier | Dermal limits apply for leave-on products |
| Beverage / flavour compounds | 1 – 20 ppm | Only food-grade, FEMA-status material |
| Insect-repellent formats | 0.5 – 2% | Combined with citronella and eucalyptus |
Adulteration risks to test for
Lemongrass is one of the more frequently adulterated oils because synthetic citral is cheap. GC-MS with an isotope check where required will separate genuine distillate from reconstitutions.
- Synthetic citral added to lift a low-assay batch
- Litsea cubeba oil blended in as a citral carrier
- Dilution with odourless mineral oil or dipropylene glycol
- Blending of old, oxidised stock — look for elevated peroxide-type off-notes
Packing, storage and shelf life
Citral oxidises on exposure to air, light and heat. Packing choices matter as much as distillation quality for the value your factory actually receives.
- Aluminium bottles or epoxy-lined drums; avoid unlined mild steel
- Headspace kept minimal, ideally nitrogen-flushed for long transit
- Store cool and dark; 24 months typical shelf life unopened
- Re-test assay before use if stock is older than 12 months
Ordering from India
Indian lemongrass is largely grown in Kerala and the Deccan belt, with distillation close to the farm to protect aldehyde content. Ask your supplier for origin, harvest window and distillation date on each batch.
- HS code 3301.29 for export documentation
- Sample first (100 – 250 g), approve GC-MS, then place bulk
- Typical commercial MOQ 5 kg; drum quantities for repeat contracts
- EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP terms all common from Indian ports
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