The effect of different hydrodistillation times on the composition and yield of bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) peel essential oil and a comparison of the cold-pressing method

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) is not consumed as fresh fruit as other members of Citrus. Bergamot essential oil has a unique aroma. Bergamot essential oil is a very valuable product used in perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy and food industry due to its beautiful scent and functional properties. As with other Citrus species, the composition of bergamot essential oil can vary according to harvest time, climate and extraction technology. Bergamot essential oil could be obtained by cold press extraction or distillation method. Within the scope of the study, the effect of four different hydrodistillation (HD) times (5, 10, 60 and 120 min) on the composition of bergamot essential oil obtained from Turkish fruits was investigated. In the first 60 min, 96.11% of the total essential oil was obtained. Research findings have shown that the distillation time is quite effective in the composition of bergamot essential oil. Limonene, linalool and linalyl acetate, which are the main components of bergamot essential oil, varied in the range, 42.36%–53.25%, 5.59%–12.18% and 20.84%–26.73%, respectively, with respect to distillation time. In cold press method, bergamot essential oil has lower linalool/linalyl acetate ratio (0.15) compared to HD method and a higher quality essence was obtained.