Application of Cymbopogon citratus in Agro-Food Industry.

Abstract

Plants, particularly medicinal and aromatic species, and plant-derived compounds have been used for centuries in human and veterinary medicine, but nowadays they have increasingly important role in agro-food industry. They present a rich source of bioactive compounds with a wide range of applications that answer to/coup with certain emerging challenges. The most important are growing demands for food safety and concern about human health and environmental pollution that altogether impose the need for more intensive use of plants and their compounds in food industry and agricultural production. This is a reason why, in recent decades, more intensive research has been carried out related to new, bio-rational and specific trends in agro-food industry. Cymbopogon citratus Stapf., lemongrass, is one of medicinal plant species with large application potential in different areas. This review provides an insight into current research and potential applications of C. citratus in food and feed technology, plant protection (as repellent, biofungicide, bioinsecticide, bioherbicide, etc.) and in veterinary medicine purposes. The most comprehensive research on biological activity of lemongrass has been carried out in the field of medicine, entomology and plant protection. However, the information on allelopathic effects and agro-food application is scarce and insufficient, requiring additional research.