Citrus bergamia, a small tree native to tropical
Asia, now extensively cultivated in the Calab-
rian coast in southern Italy. Bergamot oil is
obtained by cold expression of the peel; it is
also known as expressed bergamot oil from
which rectified or terpeneless bergamot oil is
produced by vacuum distillation or by selec-
tive solvent extraction, or by chromatography
(ARCTANDER).
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Approximately 300 compounds have been
identified in the expressed oil, including
30–60% linalyl acetate, 11–22% linalool
and other alcohols; sesquiterpenes (a-trans-
bergamotene, caryophyllene,b-farnesene, hu-
mulene,b-bisabolene), terpenes (limonene,
p-cymene,g-terpinene, phellandrene,a- and
b-pinene), C 20 to C 33 n-alkanes, and furocou-
marins (bergaptene, bergamottin, citroptene,
7-methoxy-5-geranoxycoumarin, bergaptol,
isopimpinellin, and xanthotoxin, and bergap-
ten at 0.30–0.39%).1–6
The distilled oil contains a small concen-
tration of coumarins compared to the cold
pressed oil.^7 Rectified (terpeneless) oil con-
tains a lower concentration of terpene
components than the expressed oil and no
coumarins (ARCTANDER).^8
PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
5-Methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) appears in
blood serum following topical application of
bergamot essential oil to human skin^9 and has
shown mutagenic effects on mammalian cells
in vitro.^10
TOXICOLOGY
Use of bergamot oil is banned or restricted
in many countries owing to phototoxic ef-
fects.11,12Use of the oil in foods is restricted
to those with coumarins removed.^13 Topical
use of preparations containing bergamot oil
has caused photosensitivity reactions owing to
the presence of certain furocoumarins (partic-
ularly bergapten and xanthotoxin, also known
as 5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsora-
len, respectively) in the expressed oil. Due to
the photosensitizing activity of these consti-
tuents, theuse of bergamot oil in cosmeticshas
caused hyperpigmentation of the face and
neck.5,6,10When used with long-wave ultravi-
olet light, however, the same furonocoumarins
have been effectively used in the treatment of
psoriasis, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides.^14
Recent cases of phototoxic reactions to the oil
have been reported from its use in aromather-
apy^11 and from traditional medical colognes
known as “Florida Water” and “Kananga.”^12USESMedicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Formerly used extensively used in high-
quality perfumes (especially eau de cologne),
aromatherapy oils, creams, lotions, suntan-
ning preparations to stimulate melanin pro-
duction,^10 and in soaps, with use levels up to
0.25% in creams and lotions and 3% in per-
fumes (EVANS;MARTINDALE).^6Food. Allowed for use in foods provided
coumarins (e.g., bergapten) are removed;^13
once widely used as an ingredient in flavor
formulations with fruity citrus notes in most
major food categories, including alcoholic
and nonalcoholic beverages, Earl Grey tea,
frozen dairy desserts, candy, baked goods,
gelatins and puddings, and meat and meat
products. Highest average maximum use level
was 0.02% in gelatins and puddings.COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONSBergamot oil expressed and bergamot oil rec-
tified; the former is official in F.C.C.; formerly
officinal in N.F.‘Regulatory Status. Essential oil, extractive,
and solvent-free oleoresin of bergamot orange
are GRAS (§182.20).92 Bergamot oil