Recent advances in the development of bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) essential oil: From extraction, chemical composition, function to potential applications

Citrus bergamia essential oil is a type of essential oil extracted from the peel of the bergamot fruit. Bergamot essential oil (BEO) is composed of a complex mixture of chemical compounds and is well known for its fresh, citrusy, and slightly floral aroma. It is widely used in perfumes, cosmetics, and aromatherapy and is considered to have many health benefits. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on the production, extraction, and separation of BEO, including cold pressing extraction, solvent extraction, distillation, pervaporation, SC-CO₂, and HS-SPME. The advantages and disadvantages of various extraction method of BEO were introduced in detail. Besides, BEO is composed of volatile chemical components (93–96 % of total) and non-volatile fraction (4–7 % of total), such as limonene (25–53 %), linalyl acetate (15 %–42 %), linalool (2 %–20 %), γ-terpinene, α-pinene, bergamottin and bergapten. BEO also exert various beneficial activities, including reducing anxiety and stress, anti-nociceptive, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. These findings highlight the potential of BEO as a valuable adjuvant therapy in relevant disease treatment, with further applications in clinical application. This review expounds the potential use of BEO from the perspective of food and medicine industry, and comprehensively summarizes the extraction technology, chemical composition, biological activity, and the application prospect of BEO. • The advantages and disadvantages of different extract method of BEO were investigated. • The main chemical components of BEO and qualitative and quantitative techniques were studied. • The various beneficial activities and mechanisms of BEO, such as reducing anxiety and stress, anti-cancer were summarized. • The application foreground of BEO and the bio-material packaging technology were investigated.