To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of Cymbopogon citratus against selected bacterial strains by using the agar well diffusion method

Abstract

Cymbopogon citratus is a medicinal and aromatic plant that presents a high content of citral, the main bioactive compound responsible for the characteristic lemon aroma and therapeutic properties. Citral, a mixture of geranial and neral, is mainly extracted from lemongrass essential oil by steam or hydrodistillation. It possesses range of pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiulcer activities. These medicinal properties have resulted in a wide application of Citral in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and perfumery industries. The project is focused on the extraction, identification, medicinal importance and industrial applications of citral from Cymbopogon citratus, emphasizing its use as a natural and safer therapeuticcompound.