An Update on Bioactive Potential of a Monoterpene Aldehyde Citral

Citral is a lemon scented acyclic monoterpene aldehyde consists of a racemic mixture of two isomers geranial (trans-citral or citral A) and neral (cis-citral or citral B). It is most important component of essential oils of Cymbopogon species mainly, East Indian (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and West Indian (C. citratus) lemongrass. It is also present as major component in other plant species particularly, citrus fruits. Citral imparts a characteristic lemon like aroma to the essential oils of lemongrass. Citral possesses many significant bioactivities such as, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, allelopathic and mosquito repellent. Citral is most valuable monoterpene in flavors, fragrances, cosmetics, perfumery and pharmaceuticals. It is used for the synthesis of vitamin A and β-ionones and other specialty chemicals. A growing number of reports published on bioactivities of citral and citral rich essential oils have reflected their rapidly increasing medicinal and pharmacological significance. In the present work, we have reviewed reports published recently on bioactivities of citral, citral derivatives and essential oils rich in citral content.