BERGAMOTO: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, REPRODUCTION, NUTRITION, USES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The bergamot (Citrus x bergamina) is an arboreal species of citrus fruits belonging to the Rutaceae family. Known as bergamot, bitter orange, bey pear or bey pear, it is an endemic hybrid of the Italian peninsula whose wild ancestors are of Asian origin.

It is a medium-sized tree with a smooth stem and sinuous growth, simple, leathery, persistent and bright green leaves. The small white flowers are grouped in terminal clusters, they are very fragrant and produce a characteristic pear-shaped fruit, with smooth skin, an intense yellow color and a sour taste.

Bergamot (Citrus × bergamia). Source: Rillke

Its cultivation is limited to the Reggio de Calabria region in southern Italy, in the mountainous area near the Mediterranean coast. The largest bergamot production in the world occurs in this particular microclimate region that occupies approximately 1,500 hectares.

It grows on cool, well-drained soils, in full sun exposure to express its maximum productive potential. It adapts to hot climates, with an average temperature of 25-35 ºC, as well as cool winters that do not affect its physiological state, since it is susceptible to frost.

It is cultivated for its juicy fruits, although not very edible, which has various medicinal properties such as sedative, antispasmodic, antiseptic and digestive. In addition, an essential oil is extracted from the fruit that is used in perfumery, cosmetics and aromatherapy.

General characteristics

Appearance

It is a medium-sized evergreen tree, as a commercial crop it measures 5-6 m in height, in the wild it reaches 12 m. Straight, cylindrical, smooth, greyish-brown stem, wavy and brittle branches, depending on the variety it has or lacks thorns.

Estate

The root system is of the pivoting type characterized by a main root that reaches 5-6 m deep in sandy soils. Thick and vigorous secondary roots develop near the region of elongation, from which numerous rootlets extend.

The root bark is generally thicker than the stem bark, acting as a storage structure. Indeed, due to the environmental conditions where it grows, carbohydrates are stored in the roots during winter.

Leaves

The leaves are simple, alternate and persistent, lanceolate, oblong or ovate, measuring 8-10 cm long by 5-6 cm wide. The leaflets have a leathery appearance, margins with rounded teeth, dark green on the upper surface and light green on the underside, short jointed petiole and numerous aromatic glands.

flowers

The actinomorphic, pentameric and fragrant flowers of Citrus × bergamia are grouped in terminal inflorescences on pedicels 8 mm long. The cup-shaped calyx has five green welded petals and five pearly white petals, covered with sebaceous glands.

The flowers are characterized by the presence of a ring of nectaries around the base of the ovary that give it its characteristic aroma. Flowering occurs from April to May, and fruiting from November to March.

Fruit

The fruit is an ovoid or pyriform berry 9-15 cm long by 8-12 cm in diameter, often with a small navel and a perennial style. The skin is 4-6 mm thick, smooth or rough, bright green to yellow in color, and has numerous sebaceous glands.

The interior of the fruit or mesocarp is white, the endocarp is divided into 10-15 galleries that contain the seeds and a greenish juice with a bitter taste. The flattened seeds of 11 mm by 6 mm, yellow and generally monoembryonic, have 5-15 units per fruit.

Green bergamot fruits (Citrus × bergamia). Source: pixabay.com

Chemical composition

The Citrus × bergamia fruit is not edible due to its strong acid taste, but it is industrialized for the extraction of its essential oil. This oil contains various chemicals including a-bergaptene, geraniol acetate, linalyl acetate, and neryl acetate.

Similarly, a-pinene, a-terpineol, b-bisabolene, geraniol, limonene, linalool, myrcene and nerol. The main active principles are made up of limonene (30-45%), linalyl acetate (22-36%), linalol (3-15%), gamma terpinene (6-10%) and beta pinene (5-9%).).

Toxicity

Recent clinical research work has made it possible to determine that the bergaptene present in essential oils has toxic effects. Its regular intake in sensitive people can cause gastrointestinal disorders, because it blocks the absorption of potassium through the intestinal mucosa.

Bergamot also contains bergamoten or bergamotin, a natural furanocoumarin or secondary metabolite of phenolic origin. Its consumption can alter the functionality of cytochromes and the metabolism of certain drugs.

The essential oil is considered photo-toxic. Therefore, its use should be restricted, at least 24 hours before, if the patient is to remain exposed to the sun.

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Magnoliopsida

- Subclass: Rosidae

- Order: Sapindales

- Family: Rutaceae

- Subfamily: Citroideae

- Tribe: Citreae

- Genus: Citrus

- Species: Citrus x bergamia Risso & Poit.

Habitat and distribution

The Citrus x bergamia species is native to Southeast Asia, introduced to the Italian peninsula in the mid-16th century. It is currently cultivated in the Calabria region in southern Italy, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and the Ivory Coast.

Its production is restricted to special microclimates on the Mediterranean coast of the Calabria region in Italy and in Sicily. Bergamot is the symbol of the province of Reggio di Calabria, where around 90% of the world production of this citrus fruit grows.

Bergamot leaves (Citrus × bergamia). Source: Krzysztof Golik

Some varieties are grown in Spain, the Mersin region in Turkey, in America in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and the state of Georgia in the US There are currently three bergamot cultivars: castagnaro, fantastic and femminello, being the fantastic the most commercialized.

Bergamot thrives in warm climate environments with full sun exposure. In fact, the main producing region of the species in southern Italy presents the ideal environmental conditions for its propagation.

The region's microclimate is characterized by a high annual average temperature and the greatest number of daylight hours. During the summer the average temperatures are located at 26 ºC, cool winters free of frost and a wide range of temperatures during the day and night.

However, bergamot cultivation can be established in other environments as long as there are no occasional frosts. Likewise, it requires temperatures of no less than 4-12 ºC at night and high solar radiation during the day.

Reproduction

Bergamot is propagated by grafting, transplantation being practically the only way to multiply the species. The best results are obtained using bitter orange which have the ability to produce trees resistant to inclement weather.

At present, Citrus aurantium feet are used as rootstocks with very good production results and resistance to environmental conditions. Citrus aurantifolia was previously used but yields were substantially reduced and the plants were less resistant to sudden changes in temperature.

Bergamot is generally very slow growing. A tree tends to start its flowering and fruiting process in a productive way after 7-9 years, then it is capable of producing up to 40-50 years.

Bergamot (Citrus × bergamia) potted culture. Source: James Steakley

Care

Location

It is recommended to plant in full sun exposure as it requires good radiation throughout the day. Plants grown in pots can be placed on sunny patios or terraces.

Floor

It requires loamy, loose, well-drained and fertile soils. Slightly acidic soils favor the assimilation of mineral elements such as iron.

Temperature

The cultivation requires warm climates, average temperatures during spring and summer of 25-30 ºC. During winter, low temperatures cause the plant to enter a dormant period until fruiting begins.

Transplant

Like most citrus fruits, bergamot does not respond well to transplanting, if it has been initially planted in pots. When transplanting, it is advisable to take care of the root system and establish a drainage layer that prevents the accumulation of moisture at the planting site.

Irrigation

When establishing the crop, frequent watering is recommended, avoiding waterlogging around the plant. It is recommended to increase the frequency of irrigation at the beginning of flowering and during fruiting.

fertilizer

From 4-5 years after sowing it is advisable to start the application of organic fertilizers or fertilizer formulas according to the soil analysis.

Pruning

It is carried out from 2-3 years, in the initial phase of growth, when the disorganized growth of suckers is observed.

Characteristic fruit of Bergamoto (Citrus × bergamia). Source: pixabay.com

Nutrition

Bergamot is a small citrus fruit, pear-shaped, with a very sour taste and yellowish tones. Phytochemical analyzes have determined the presence of various nutrients beneficial to health, such as vitamins A, B and C, as well as calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium and sodium.

Its peculiarity is that, unlike other citrus fruits, bergamot is not consumed since its taste is very bitter, so it is used only for flavoring. It has various medicinal properties, which is why it is indicated for preparing medical formulas and cosmetology, including aromatherapy.

Its high content of vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, being effective to strengthen the body's defenses, prevent colds and control anemia. The presence of B complex vitamins protects the neurological system, it is also rich in vitamin A necessary for healthy skin and eyesight.

Nutritional value per 100 g

- Energy: 45-50 kcal

- Carbohydrates: 10 g

- Dietary fiber: 1 g

- Sugar: 8 g

- Calcium (Ca): 25 mg

- Iron (Fe): 0.5 mg

- Phosphorus (P): 18 mg

- Sodium (Na): 2 mg

- Potassium (K): 150 mg

- Vitamin A: 400 IU

- Thiamine (vitamin B ₁): 0.05 mg

- Riboflavin (vitamin B ₂): 0.4 mg

- Niacin (Vitamin B ₃): 0.2 mg

- Vitamin C: 40 mg

Bergamot used for therapeutic purposes. Source: pixabay.com

Applications

Nutritional

The essential oil extracted from bergamot is used as a flavoring for various varieties of tea, pastry, confectionery and confectionery. In Italy, the artisan or industrial elaboration of bergamot-based jams is common, in Greece a preserve is made based on the skin of the fruit cooked in syrup.

Medicinal

The essential oil has various bioactive principles that provide it with particular medicinal properties, such as antiseptic, analgesic, antibiotic, healing, detoxifying, deodorant, digestive, febrifuge, vermifuge and Vulnerary. In addition, it is indicated to firm the skin, clean impurities, eliminate stretch marks and treat acne, as well as heal small wounds and eliminate odors.

Cosmetology

Due to the multiple properties of its essential oils, it is one of the most appreciated in the cosmetic industry. The essence extracted from the bergamot skin is an essential raw material for the production of perfumes and colognes in perfumery.

Bergamot is one of the essential ingredients to make the famous cologne known as "eau de toilette" since the 17th century. Today it is a common ingredient in personal hygiene products, including shaving creams, soaps, ointments, lotions, and hair toners.

Aromatherapy

In aromatherapy, bergamot oil is used to calm depression, comfort the mood, and reduce stress. On the other hand, it reduces anxiety, exhaustion, fear, sadness and calms nervous insomnia, it also stimulates and tones emotions and moods.

Therapeutic properties

- It is recommended to cure certain infections of the urinary system, such as cystitis and urethritis.

- Its consumption stimulates the appetite in case of anorexia nervosa and regulates the appetite in compulsive consumption events.

- It is indicated for the treatment of vaginal itching and vaginal discharge or leucorrhea.

- Effective to clean greasy skin, boils and relieve acne, also to remedy herpes problems in the mouth.

- Bergamot essences have antidepressant properties, which is why they are widely recommended to relax restless, anxious and depressed people. In addition, it acts as a relaxant and promotes night sleep.

- The oil is used for massages or diluted in bath water to relieve tension and stress. In this way, it constitutes an effective home remedy to relieve skin infections and prevent cold problems.

- In aromatherapy, it is used in steam therapy to combat affective emotional disorders, depression and premenstrual syndrome.

- Combined with creams or lotions it is used to heal cuts and wounds on the skin, in the same way it relieves certain light skin conditions.

Illustration of bergamot (Citrus × bergamia). Source: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen

Diseases

Like most critics, your crop is attacked by different pathogenic microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria and viruses, which cause diseases of economic interest.

Gum

Fungal disease caused by the fungus Phytophthora parasitica. The main symptom is the presence of a thick brown gum on the bark of the tree.

Bold or sooty mold

It appears as the growth of the fungus of the genus Capnodium on the surface of the leaves due to the accumulation of sugary liquids. The disease is associated with the presence of other pests such as mealybugs and aphids.

Brown rot

The brown rot is caused by a group of fungi of the genus Phytophthora, which deteriorate the roots, also produce cankers and gummoses on the trunk. In fact, they cause the general weakening of the plant and the fall of its leaves.

Sadness virus

Virus that causes chlorosis and defoliation of the leaves, as well as premature flowering. It is transmitted by the aphid Toxoptera citricida, it is a very dangerous virus that has no cure and can cause the death of the plant in a few days.

References

1. Bergamot essential oil, medicinal properties and uses (2019) Eco Farmer. Naturvegan Ecologico SL Recovered in: ecoagricultor.com
2. Cappello, AR, Dolce, V., Iacopetta, D., Martello, M., Fiorillo, M., Curcio, R.,… & Dhanyalayam, D. (2016). Bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) flavonoids and their potential benefits in human hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis: an overview. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry, 16 (8), 619-629.
3. Citrus bergamia Risso (2019) Catalog of Life: 2019 Annual Checklist. Recovered at: catalogueoflife.org
4. Citrus × bergamia. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered in es.wikipedia.org
5. Licata, Marcela & Macek, Martin (2019) Nutritional contribution of fruits. Zonadiet. Recovered at: zonadiet.com
6. Rapisarda, A., & Germanò, MP (2013). Citrus × bergamia Risso & Poiteau: Botanical Classification, Morphology, and Anatomy. In Citrus bergamia (pp. 34-49). CRC Press.
7. Ricciardi, A., Agrelo de Nassif, A., Olivetti de Bravi, M., Peruchena de Godoy, M. & Moll. W. (1981) Quality and Composition of the Bergamot Essential Oil produced in Misiones. Publication SAIPA - Argentine Society for the Research of Aromatic Products. Volume VI - Neuquén. Page 8-13.
8. Sicari, V., Loizzo, MR, Branca, V., & Pellicanò, TM (2016). Bioactive and antioxidant activity from Citrus Bergamia Risso (Bergamot) juice collected in different areas of Reggio Calabria province, Italy. International Journal of Food Properties, 19 (9), 1962-1971.