Citral

Citral is the mixture of the cis-trans isomers geranial (citral A) and neral (citral B). Neral and geranial belong chemically to the group of acyclic monoterpene aldehydes .

Citral as a flavoring agent: Citral is a pale yellowish liquid and is widely used as a fragrance and flavoring agent. Citral has an intense lemon aroma and has antifungal properties. Citral is the main component of lemongrass oil. Citral is also a basic ingredient in many liqueurs. It is the main active principle in lemon balm tea.

Citral as a pheromone: Citral is the alarm pheromone of the leaf-cutter ant. Neral is released as a volatile pheromone by house dust mites (D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae).

Cosmetics: Citral (INCI) is used as a flavoring and fragrance for artificial lemon oils. The mixture is almost insoluble in water. Citral has an irritating effect on the skin in concentrations of 1 % or more.

Citral has a medium allergological potential.

1. Head MC et al (2014) Evaluation of Antifungal Activity and Mechanism of Action of Citral against Candida albicans. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med doi: 10.1155/2014/378280
2. Zheng S et al (2015) Citral exerts its antifungal activity against Penicillium digitatum by affecting the mitochondrial morphology and function. Food Chem178:76-81