The bergamot (Citrus x bergamine) 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..
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..
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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.
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.
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..
The actinomorphic, pentameric, and fragrant flowers of Citrus × bergamia they are grouped in terminal inflorescences on pedicles 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.
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, with a bright green to yellow color and 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 in color and generally monoembryonic, have 5-15 units per fruit.
The fruit of Citrus × bergamia It 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, linalol, myrcene and nerol. The main active principles are constituted by limonene (30-45%), linalyl acetate (22-36%), linalol (3-15%), gamma terpinene (6-10%) and beta pinene (5-9%). ).
Recent clinical research work has made it possible to determine that 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 going to remain exposed to the sun..
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Subclass: Rosidae
- Order: Sapindales
- Family: Rutaceae
- Subfamily: Citroideae
- Tribe: Citreae
- Gender: Citrus
- Species: Citrus x bergamia Risso & Poit.
The species Citrus x bergamia It is native to Southeast Asia, introduced in the Italian peninsula in the middle of the 16th century. It is currently grown in the Calabria region of 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..
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 at 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..
Bergamot is propagated by grafting, transplantation being practically the only way to multiply the species. Best results are obtained using bitter orange which have the ability to produce weather resistant trees.
Currently, rootstocks are used as rootstocks Citrus aurantium with very good production results and resistance to environmental conditions. Previously it was used Citrus aurantifolia but the 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 from 7-9 years, then it is capable of producing up to 40-50 years.
It is recommended to plant in full sun exposure as it requires good radiation throughout the day. Potted plants can be placed on sunny patios or terraces.
It requires loamy, loose, well-drained and fertile soils. Slightly acidic soils favor the assimilation of mineral elements such as iron.
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..
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.
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..
From 4-5 years after sowing, it is advisable to start the application of organic fertilizers or fertilizer formulas according to the soil analysis..
It is done from 2-3 years, in the initial phase of growth, when the disorganized growth of suckers is observed.
Bergamot is a small citrus fruit, pear-shaped, with a very sour taste and yellowish hues. 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 the health of the skin and eyes..
- 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 I.U..
- Thiamine (vitamin B1): 0.05 mg
- Riboflavin (vitamin Btwo): 0.4 mg
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): 0.2 mg
- Vitamin C: 40 mg
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.
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.
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 the manufacture of personal hygiene products, including shaving creams, soaps, ointments, lotions and hair toners..
In aromatherapy, bergamot oil is used to calm depression, comfort the mood, and reduce stress. On the other hand, it attenuates anxiety, exhaustion, fear, sadness and calms nervous insomnia, it also stimulates and tones emotions and moods..
- 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 leukorrhea.
- Effective to cleanse oily skin, boils and relieve acne, as well as 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 of the skin, in the same way it relieves certain light skin conditions.
Like most critics, your crop is attacked by different pathogenic microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria and viruses, which cause diseases of economic interest..
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.
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 is caused by a group of fungi of the genus Phytophthora, that 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..
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.
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