Potential Herbicidal and Insecticidal (Beneficial) Properties of Nepalese Lemongrass Essential Oil

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, commonly known as lemongrass, is a member of the Poaceae family and is native to tropical and subtropical regions, including South Asia. The species is renowned for its diverse applications in culinary arts, perfumery, and traditional medicinal practices. This study aimed to characterize the essential oil (EO) composition of lemongrass and evaluate its biological properties. The EO was extracted via hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus, and its chemical profile was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major constituents identified were neral (35.5 ± 0.6%) and geranial (36.0 ± 0.4%), which together constitute the primary isomers of citral. The antioxidant activity, assessed using DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays, was moderate compared to the Trolox standard. Similarly, the EO exhibited weak tyrosinase inhibition activity. However, the EO exhibited significant herbicidal and insecticidal effects with no observed ecotoxicological risks. These findings highlight lemongrass EO as a promising eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides.