The investigation of the influence of different pH values on lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) oil durability

Abstract

Nowadays, the demand to use compounds extracted from nature plants into into cosmetics and food to serve the purpose of protecting the health of people more and more, besides with the interest of researchers. However, it is difficult to use essential oils on cosmetics as a  aromatic flavor, especially lemongrass oil, because it is contained high content of citral compounds. In this study, the effect of pH values from pH ​​= 4 to pH = 7 on the durability of lemongrass essential oil on sample using preservative as sodium benzoate, on the body wash sample and shampoo sample with sodium benzoate. All this sample were examined for color change under condition after 1 day at room temperature, after 7 days at room temperature and 7 days after storage at 45°C by the LCh colorimeter. The results showed that, at the pH of the acid region, the color variation of lemongrass essential oil is minimized, which contain high levels of Citral on personal care products.