The Effect of Citronella Oil Concentration (Cymbopogon nardus (L. )
Rendle) on the Quality of Shampoo and Antifungal Activity of Candida
albican
Lidya Ameliana*, Alik Almawadah, Lestyo Wulandari
Departement of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of
Jember, Jember, Indonesia
Received: 17 May 2019 /Revised: 20 May 2019/Acepted: 27 May 2019/Published: 13 Jun 2019
ABSTRACT
Citronella oil (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) is formulated into shampoo preparations to overcome
dandruff. Dandruff is a condition which exfoliation of the excess horny layer on the scalp and forms
fine scales caused by fungal infections of Candida albicans. The purpose of this study was to determine
the antifungal activity and quality of the citronella oil shampoo. Citronella oil was taken using a steam
distillation method. The oil produced has good quality because it meet the range of organoleptic
requirements according to EOA, 1975, the refractive index 1.483-1.489), density (0.800 – 0.900 g/mL),
and the minimum concentration of citronella content is 35%. In this research obtained that the refractive
index 1.483, density 0.890g/mL and citronellal content 41.720%. The shampoo was formulated to 1%,
2%, 3%, 4% and 5% of citronella oil concentration to MIC (Minimum Inhibition Concentration) test,
to find out the lowest concentration of shampoo which can still inhibit the growth of Candida albicans
and the MIC was 2%. Citronella oil then formulated into shampoo with F1 (4%) F2 (6%) and F3
(8%) citronella oil concentrations. The results of the quality of shampoo evaluation showed that all
formulations met the requirements of pH, viscosity, and foam height. In testing the antifungal activity of
shampoo was known that the greater the concentration of oil in the shampoo, the greater the antifungal
activity in the shampoo.
Keywords: Citronella oil, shampoo, antifungal activity
1. Introduction
In this time, dandruff is still a major problem
in almost all individuals. The onset of dandruff
observed in the presence of white scales, itching that
occurs on the scalp and hair loss [1]. According to
Harahap (1990), the secretion of excessive sweat
glands and the emergence of microorganisms on
the scalp can also trigger the formation of dandruff.
The most common causes of dandruff are Candida
albicans with a percentage of 50% followed by 24 %
Aspergillus niger, 16% Cryptococcus spp and 10%
Penicillium spp. It was proven by a study conducted
by Roselin (2015) on dandruff samples taken from
50 volunteers with ages ranging from 18 years to 25
years and it was known that Candida albicans is the
main that causes dandruff. [3-4]
Dandruff can be treated with several anti-dandruff
substances including zinc, menthol, and thymol.
However, the use of these chemicals can cause
hair loss and some adverse skin reactions, such as
rashes, pruritus, and dermatitis. To overcome this,
some natural agents such as citronella oil is good.
Citronellal oil (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) has
several chemical constituents including citronellal,
citronellol, geraniol which have antifungal and
antibacterial activity [4]. Citronella oil has antifungal
activity against several Candida species namely
Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida
krusei, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis
[5]. According to the Lely, 2018 citronella oil
(Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) has antifungal
activity on three types of microorganisms namely
Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes
and Candida albicans, the largest inhibitory zone
was found in Candida albicans.The aplication of
citronella oil directly on the skin is considered to be
less practical and effective. So, it needs to formulate
topical preparations used an antifungal for Candida
albicans. Topical preparations that are suitable
for fighting dandruff are anti-dandruff shampoo.
The shampoo is a liquid, gel, emulsion, or aerosol
preparation that contains surfactants so that it can
produce foam. The quality requirements of shampoo
preparations which are determined according to the
Indonesian National Standard (SNI) are pH of 5.0-
9.0 SNI No. 06-2692-1992. While the viscosity of
the shampoo is between 4 - 40 dPas [8]. And high
foam shampoo is 1.3 - 22 cm [9]. The objective of
this research was to formulated of citronella oil into
anti-dandruff shampoo preparations as well as an
antifungal activity test against Candida albicans.
2. Method
2.1 Tools
*Corresponding author,
https://doi.org/10.24198/idjp.v1i2.21551
e-mail : lidyaameliana@unej.ac.id (L. Ameliana) 2019 Ameliana et al
Vol 1, Issue 2, 2019 (52-56)
http://journal.unpad.ac.id/idjp
L. Ameliana et al / Indo J Pharm 2 (2019) 52-56
53
The tools used in this research are Steam distillation
apparatus, analytic balance (AdventureTM Ohaus,
USA), viscometer (Rion Viscotester VT-04), Oven,
pH meter (Elmetron), refractometer, petri dish,
porcelain saucer, mortar, stamper, glassware (Pyrex)
and SPSS data processing software.
2.2 Materials
The materials used in this research were
citronella plants (collected from Botanical Garden
in Agrotechnopark, University of Jember, Jubung,
Jember) and determination of citronella plant was
carried out in the Plants Laboratory ,Politeknik Negeri
Jember. Chemical reagents were hydroxylamine
hydrochloride (Loba Chemie), KOH, HCl,
ethanol, sodium lauryl sulfate (Brataco), carbopol
(Inalab), TEA (Brataco), methylparaben (Brataco),
propylparaben (Brataco), distilled water, culture
C. albicans obtained from the Faculty of Dentistry,
University of Jember, and Soboraud Dextrose Agar
(SDA).
2.3. Preparation of Sample
2.3.1. Isolation of Citronella oil
Isolation of citronella oil was carried out by
direct steam distillation. The oil produced from the
distillation process calculated using the following
formula:
2.4 Evaluation of Citronella Oil Quality
The evaluation was carried out to determine
quality of citronella oil produced in this research,
then compare with the quality of citronella oil sample
(citronella oil on the Jember local market). The
evaluation included organoleptic, refractive index,
and density of the citronella oil.
The organoleptic test includes color and odor. In
general, citronella oil has a pale yellow to brownish
yellow color, with a distinctive smell of citronella.
Refractive index test was using refractometer,
citronella oil has a refractive index of 1.483-1.489 at
20
0
C [10]. And the density test was using pycnometer,
citronella oil at a temperature of 25
0
C has specific
gravity 0.800 - 0.900 g/mL [10].
2.4.1 Citronella content
Citronella oil content was carried out by weighing
0.8 grams of citronella oil into erlenmeyer, adding
20 mL of hydroxylamine hydrochloride 0.5 N and
10 mL of KOH 0.5 N. Then the bromophenol blue
indicator was added and titration using 0.5 N HCl
until the color changes from blue to yellow. Then
make a blank [11].
M: BM citronellal
m: The mass of citronella oil
V0: Volume of 0,5N HCl determination
V1: Volume of 0,5N blank HCl
FK : 0,889
2.5 Determination of Minimum Inhibitory
Concentration (MIC)
MIC was carried out on several citronella oil
shampoos with concentrations 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%
and 5%, and using the well diffusion method. SDA
(Saburound Dextrose Agar) is the media used in
MIC testing. 6.5 grams of SDA were suspended in
100 mL distilled water put into erlenmeyer, warmed
to homogeneous then closed the erlenmeyer using
cotton and sterilized. Liquid SDA was poured into a
petri dish waiting until it solidified. The suspension
of Candida albicans was made with took one
ose of Candida albicans then put in a mixed of
physiological NaCl and vortex the mixture. 100µl of
Candida albicans suspension spreaded above SDA.
Then pipette the test solution for 20µl and put in
the hole. The antifungal activity can be found based
on the presence of inhibition diameter that appears
around the well hole. The smallest concentration that
produces an inhibitory diameter was determined as
MIC.
2.6 Formulation of Citronella Oil Shampoo
The shampoo was made in several formulas shown
in Table 1. The following steps to get a shampoo:
developing carbopol in the mortar using distilled
water until it expands, stirring constantly and adding
a TEA until homogeneous. Nipagin and nipasol
dissolved using propylene glycol, while sodium
lauryl sulfate was dissolved using distilled water.
The mixture of nipagin and nipasol added into the
mortar containing the carbopol then adding sodium
lauryl sulfate, stirred slowly. Added the citronella
oil and the remaining of distilled water was added
to the mixture and stirred until homogeneous. The
following formulations of citronella oil shampoo are
presented in Table 1.
2.7. Evaluation of Citronella Oil Shampoo
The evaluation of citronella oil shampoo were
include, organoleptic, pH, viscosity and foam height
test. Organoleptic evaluation was carried out visually
which included shape, color, and odor. Evaluation
of pH was perform by dissolved 1 gram of shampoo
in 10 ml of distilled water. According to SNI 06-
2692-1992, pH shampoo is ranging from 5.0 to 9.0.
The viscosity of shampoo according to Schmitt and
L. Ameliana et al / Indo J Pharm 2 (2019) 52-56
54
Table 1. Formulation of citronella oil shampoo
Concentration ( % b/b)
Materials
Function
F0
F2
F3
Citronella oil
Active Ingredients
0
6
8
Carbopol
Thickening Agent
1
1
1
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Foaming Agent and Emulgator
3,5
3,5
3,5
Propylene Glycol
Cosolvenic
10
10
10
Nipagin
Preservative
0,02
0,02
0,02
Nipasol
Preservative
0,01
0,01
0,01
Triethanolamine (TEA)
Alkalizing Agent
2
2
2
Aquadest
Solvent
83,47
77,47
75
Total
100 g
100 g
100 g
Williams (1996) ranges from 4 dPas - 40 dPas. The
test was evaluated using viscometer (Rion Viscometer
VT-04). Evaluation of foam height was obtained by
dissolved 0.1 gram shampoo in 10 mL of distilled
water and put the solution into a test tube then closed
tightly then shaked for 20 seconds, and measured the
foam [12]. The requirements for high foam shampoo
are 1.3-22 cm [9].
2.8 Antifungal Activity Test
Antifungal activity tests were carried out by
the same method in the MIC test. The test solution
consisted of the negative control (F0), positive
control (ketoconazole shampoo) and citronella oil
shampoo F1 (4%), F2 (6%) and F3 (8%). Incubated
for 48 hours at 37
0
C. And calculated the diameter
inhibition using calipers [4].
3. Result
3.1 Isolation of citronella oil
The citronella plant was found that is Cymbopogon
nardus (L.) Rendle and the family are Poaceae. Yield
of the citronella oil was 0.857%. The yield of oil is
0.28 % - 1.4%, according to the Negrelle and Gomes
,2007. According to Ginting ,2004 the yield of oil
obtained from citronella plants depends on several
factors including the existence of differences in
climate, soil fertility, age of plants and isolation of
citronella oil.
3.2 Evaluation of Citronella Oil
The organoleptic test of citronella oil was found
that citronella oil and citronella oil sample have a
yellow color with a distinctive smell of lemongrass,
the two types of oil meets the requirement of color
range. The refractive index of citronella oil was
1.483 and 1.467 for the citronella oil sample (
citronella oil on the Jember local market). Refractive
index of the citronella oil was meets the requirement,
but the citronella oil sample does not. According to
EOA,1975 the refractive index of citronella oil
at temperature of 20
0
C is 1.483-1.489. The density
of citronella oil was 0.890 g/mL and 0.881 for the
citronella oil sample. According to EOA, 1975 the
requirement of the density of oil at a temperature of
25
0
C is 0.8 - 0.9 g/mL. So, the two types of oil in the
range of requirements.
3.2.1 Citronella content
Citronella oil has a citronella content that is in the
range of requirements, but the citronella oil sample
does not. Minimum citronellal content is 35% [10].
The citronella content of citronella oil was 41.72%
and 11.74% for the citronella oil sample.
3.3 Evaluation of Citronella Oil Shampoo
Organoleptic test of citronella oil shampoo F0
(0%), F1 (4%), F2 (6%) and F3 (8%) showed that the
concentration of citronella oil could affect the shape,
smell and color of the shampoo. The result can be
seen in Table 2 and Picture 1.
Based on the results of the pH test the addition of
citronella oil concentration caused a decrease in pH.
because citronella oil is acidic. In all formulation, the
pH meets the range on the requirements of SNI No.
06-2629-1992 which ranges 5.0-9.0. The viscosity
test showed that all shampoo formulas meet the
viscosity range of requirement, according to Schmitt
et all,1996 (4 dPas - 40 dPas). The viscosity of the
shampoo decreases with increasing concentration
of citronella oil. The foam height of shampoo in
all formulas meets the requirement. According to
Wilkinson, 1982 the foam height of shampoo is 1.3
cm-22 cm. The test result can be seen in Table 3.
3.4 Determination of MIC
The inhibition zone appears on the shampoo with a
L. Ameliana et al / Indo J Pharm 2 (2019) 52-56
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concentration of 2%, F3 3%, 4%, and 5%. The MIC
results of citronella oil shampoo against Candida
albicans was on shampoo 2%, because it was the
smallest concentration which still inhibit Candida
albicans. The results of the MIC test can be seen in
Table 4.
3.5 Antifungal Activity Test
The antifungal activity was characterized by the
Picture 1. Shampoo all concentration
Table 2. Organoleptic test result
Formula
Shape
Odor
Color
0
Gel
None
None
1
Emulgel
Aromatic
White
2
Emulgel
Aromatic
White
3
Emulgel
Aromatic
White
Table 3. Evaluation of citronella oil shampoo test result (n = 3)
Formula
pH ± SD
Viscosity (dPas)± SD
Foam Height ± SD
0
8.14 ± 0.02
32.67 ± 0.58
4.45 ± 0.05
1
8.03 ± 0.03
24.00 ± 1.00
3.90 ± 0.17
2
7.86 ± 0.02
17.67 ± 1.53
3.40 ± 0.10
3
7.71 ± 0.02
6.00 ± 0.00
2.69 ± 0.12
Table 4. MIC test result
Concentration of citronella
oil shampoo
1% 2% 3% 4% 5%
Negative
control
Positive
control
Inhibitory
zone
- + + + + - +
(- ) : There is no inhibition zone
(+) : There are inhibitory zones
Negative control : Base shampoo
Positive control : Ketoconazole shampoo
Table 5. Antifungal activity test result
Formula (F)
Inhibitory zone (mm) ± SD
0
11.1 ± 0.12
1
14.7 ± 0.15
2
16.3 ± 0.12
3
19.5 ± 0.31
Positive control
22.7 ± 0.42
L. Ameliana et al / Indo J Pharm 2 (2019) 52-56
56
presence of inhibitory zones, then measured using
the calipers and the results can be seen in Table 5.
The test showed that all formulas have an inhibitory
zone against Candida albicans. The negative
control shampoo also showed the presence of an
inhibitory zone, but the inhibition zone was due to
the availability of preservatives.
4. Discussion
The results were obtained that citronella oil
in this study had good quality. Because in all tests
including organoleptic, refractive index, density, and
citronellal content of oil in the range of requirements.
But the refractive index and citronellal content of the
citronella oil sample (citronella oil on the market) did
not meet the requirement in the literature, because
the mixture of other oil in the citronella oil sample.
Components contained in citronella oil can affect
the results of refractive index measurements. The
presence of water content in oil can decrease the
refractive index [14].
The results of the physical evaluation of the
shampoo showed that all tests including organoleptic,
pH, viscosity and foam height were included in the
range of requirements . The oil in the shampoo can
affect the shape, smell and color of the shampoo. F0
shampoo is a shampoo base without citronella oil, so
obtained the gel shampoo. The absence of oil in the
preparation produced a shampoo that was odorless
and colorless. The large amount of oil on shampoo
can cause the color intensity of the shampoo became
more white and the odor produced more aromatic.
The addition of the concentration of oil in the
shampoo can reduce the pH, viscosity, and the foam
height of the shampoo. However, with the addition
of citronella oil concentration increase the antifungal
activity against Candida albicans. In all responses
includes the quality of the shampoo and the antifungal
activity, the statistical test was performed with
Oneway ANOVA and showed significant differences
in one experimental group with p <0.05. Followed by
the Least Significant Different (LSD) test obtained p
<0.05 so that there were significant differences in all
experimental groups.
5. Conclusion
In this study, citronella oil has good quality
and meet the requirements of the refractive index,
density and citronellal content of oil according to the
literature. The MIC of citronella oil shampoo was
2%. Increasing the concentration of citronella oil
in the shampoo can reduce pH, viscosity, and foam
height of the shampoo. Increasing the concentration
of citronella oil in shampoo can increase antifungal
activity against Candida albicans.
Acknowledgments
Authors thanks to LP2M University of Jember for
fundy this study by Hibah Penugasan UNEJ.
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