ABSTRACT
Bergamot oil is the essential oil obtained from the pericarp of the bergamot orange, Citrus bergamia. In industry, however, sometimes residues from expression of the citrus peels undergo steam distillation, to obtain the remaining oil; these volatile oils may then be added to the expressed oil. Bergamot is the common name of the fruit and plant of Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau. It is a small tree that blossoms during the winter, producing a fragrant pale yellow, spherical fruit 7.5-10 cm in diameter, which has a bitter taste but a pleasant odor. Citrus bergamia is commercially grown mainly in the southern Italian region of Calabria in the area of Reggio Calabria, limited to a narrow strip of the coast, along the Ionian and the Thyrrenian seas, of about 150 km. Bergamot oil is a greenish to yellow, clear mobile liquid which has a fresh, citrusy, soft green and fruity odor with floral accent.
