Cymbopogon winterianus (Java Citronella Plant): A Multi-Faceted Approach for Food Preservation, Insecticidal Effects, and Bread Application

Abstract

Certain plants like Rosemarinus officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia and Origanum vulgare have been used in the food industry for centuries. Cymbopogon winterianus (Java Citronella plant) is one of the most significant plants. The objective of this study is to screen for secondary metabolites by phytochemical screening, evaluate the antioxidant contents of extracts and investigate the use of the Java Citronella plant in food preservation and as an insecticide. Java Citronella powder was added to bread and evaluated for its moisture content, and a visual and sensory analysis was performed. Sitophilus granarius (L.) weevils were exposed to Java Citronella essential oil (JCEO). The phytochemical screening revealed that the extracts were abundant in secondary metabolites. The JCEO had a yield of 0.75%. The aqueous extract had a higher total phenolic content of 49.043 ± 0.217 mg GAE/g than the ethanolic extract, which was 24.478 ± 1.956 mg GAE/g. The aqueous extract had a total flavonoids content 27,725.25 ± 54.96 µg RE/g higher than the ethanolic extract, with 24,263 ± 74 µg RE/g. The ethanolic extract had stronger antioxidant activity, with anIC50 = 196.116 μg/mL higher than the aqueous extract at 420 μg/mL. The 2% Java Citronella powder in the bread was preferred by consumers, and had a shelf life of 6 days. JCEO killed all the weevils with a high dose of 10% after 48 h. The Java Citronella showed insecticidal and food preservative activity. The results should help in future research to enhance the applications of Java Citronella in various domains, from food technology to insecticides.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Cimbopogon winterianus and Origanum syriacum Extracts and Essential Oils against Uropathogenic Bacteria and Foodborne Fungal Isolates

“…The same preparation was performed for the ethanolic extracts. The EOs were prepared according to Rammal et al [ 20 ] by hydro-distillation. Briefly, the leaves were heated with distilled water and the vapor was condensed to separate the oils from water.…”

“…The O. syriacum and C. winterianus EOs were combined by mixing equal volumes of the EOs and dissolving them in DMSO to prepare solutions of concentrations ranging between 1.25 and 20%. In addition, the chemical composition of the EOs was tested by Gas Chromatography (GC; Biobase, BK-GC7820, Wolfenbuttel, Germany) as described by Rammal et al [ 20 ] using an Agilent 6890N network gas chromatograph equipped with an Agilent 19091S-433HP-5MS column, with dimensions of 30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm. Briefly, the oven temperature was programmed to increase from 65 °C to 450 °C at a rate of 3 °C per min.…”