Abstract:
The purposes of this study was to prepare lemongrass extract for utilize in cosmetics. In this study, the extract of roots, stems and leaves of lemongrass were prepared by soaking in ethanol and propylene glycol and lemongrass essential oils were prepared by steam distillation. The chemical components of lemongrass essential oils and extracts were analyzed by using GCMS. The result showed that 2 major components; selinaenol (22.84 %) and 2-furancarboxaldehyde (19.10 %) were found as the highest chemical composition in roots essential oil. Stem essential oil was found 2-furancarboxaldehyde (71.45 %) and 4-chloro-2-fluorotoluene (10.72 %). Leaves essential oil was found pentanoic acid (56.75 %) and hexadecanoic acid (43.25 %) as major compounds. In contrast, the analyze of lemongrass extracts showed different chemical components. The major component of leaves extract was heptanoic acid (3.69 %). Stem extract was found 2 major components; propanamine (5.15 %) and 2-methylcyclohexyl-methylphosphonofluoridate (5.10 %). Roots extracts was found 2 major components: selinaenol (11.90 %). Total phenolic content of the lemongrass extracts was analyzed by Folin Ciocalteau method. The results indicated that highest amount of phenolic content was obtained from leaves extract (0.175 0.196 mg GAE/ml), followed by roots extract (0.138 0.146 mg GAE/ml) and stem extract (0.075 0.078 mg GAE/ml). DPPH radical scavenging assay showed that lemongrass leaves has the most free radicals scavenging
(39.28 to 54.36%), followed by the roots (27.21 to 30.71%) and stem (14.47 to 15.22%). The emulsion cream was developed and separately incorporated with roots, stems and leaves of lemongrass extracts. The developed formula with the root extract provided soft gentle and nice scent suitable for use in skin care products as aromatic substances. This formula was submitted to sensory evaluation in comparison to a commercial skin care product. The results showed that volunteers recognized and satisfied in products color and smell which closely to the commercial product.