Bergamot orange
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2008-07-04T20:03:51Z
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:''This article is about the citrus fruit. For the herb, see [[Monarda didyma]].
{{Taxobox
| name = Bergamot orange
| image = Koeh-184.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| subclassis = [[Rosidae]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Rutaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Citrus]]''
| species = ''[[Citrus aurantium|C. aurantium]]'' x [[Citrus medica|C. medica]]
| subspecies = '''''C. a.'' ssp. ''bergamia'''''
| trinomial = ''Citrus aurantium'' ssp. ''bergamia''
| trinomial_authority = ([[Joseph Antoine Risso|Risso]]) [[John Wright (botanist)|Wright]] & [[George Arnott Walker Arnott|Arn.]]
}}
The '''bergamot''' ('''''Citrus aurantium'' ssp. ''bergamia''''') is a small and roughly pear-shaped [[citrus]] fruit originating and grown mainly in [[Calabria]], [[Italy]]. Bergamot grow on small [[evergreen]] trees known as bergamots, which are produced from a cross of the [[pear lemon]] and the [[Seville orange]] or [[grapefruit]]. Shoots of the bergamot tree can also be grafted into similar citrus trees to produce the bergamot fruit. The flowers of the bergamot tree [[blossom]] during the spring.
The bergamot orange is unrelated to the herb of the same name, ''[[Monarda didyma]]''.
==Production==
Production mostly is limited to the [[Ionian Sea|Ionian]] coastal region of the province of [[Calabria]] in [[Italy]], to such an extent that it is a symbol of the entire region. Most of the bergamot comes from a short stretch of land where the temperature is favourable. In no other part of the world does it fructify with the same yield and quality of essence; it is cultivated in [[Argentina]], [[Brazil]] and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], but the quality of the obtained essence is not comparable with the essence produced from the bergamots of Reggio Calabria due to the [[argillite]], [[limestone]] and [[alluvial]] deposits found there.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
==Uses==
===In food===
An essence extracted from the aromatic skin of this sour fruit is used to flavour [[Earl Grey tea]] and [[confectionery]]. One Italian food manufacturer produces a commercial marmalade using the fruit as its principal ingredient. It is also popular in Greece as a preserve, made with bergamot peel boiled in sugar syrup.
===As a scent===
Bergamot peel is used in [[perfumery]] for its ability to combine with an array of scents to form a bouquet of [[aroma]]s which complement each other. Approximately one third of all men's and about half of women’s perfumes contain bergamot essential oil{{Fact|date=June 2008}}. Bergamot was a component of the original [[Eau de Cologne]] developed in 17th century [[Germany]] - in 1704 the bergamot was first used to make the now famous "[[Perfume|Eau de toilette]]" from the bergamot fruit by scooping out the pulp and squeezing the peel into sponges.
Bergamot peel is also used in [[aromatherapy]] to treat [[depression (mood)|depression]] and as a digestive aid.
===Companion plant===
Bergamot's aromatic roots are thought to mask other nearby plants from pests that attack their roots, and so are sometimes grown as a companion in vegetable gardens.
===Toxicology===
In one study, oil of bergamot has been linked to certain [[phototoxic]]<ref>{{cite journal |author=Girard J, Unkovic J, Delahayes J, Lafille C |title=[Phototoxicity of Bergamot oil. Comparison between humans and guinea pigs] |language=French |journal=Dermatologica |volume=158 |issue=4 |pages=229–43 |year=1979 |pmid=428611 |doi=}}</ref> effects (due to the chemical [[bergaptene]]) and blocking the absorption of potassium in the [[intestines]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Finsterer J |title=Earl Grey tea intoxication |journal=Lancet |volume=359 |issue=9316 |pages=1484 |year=2002 |pmid=11988248 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08436-2}}</ref>
Bergamot is also a source of [[bergamottin]] which, along with the chemically related compound 6’,7’-dihydroxybergamottin, is believed to be responsible for the [[grapefruit juice effect]] in which the consumption of the juice affects the metabolism of a variety of pharmaceutical drugs.<ref>{{cite journal | author = David G. Bailey, J. Malcolm, O. Arnold, J. David Spence | title = Grapefruit juice-drug interactions| journal = Br J Clin Pharmacol | year = 1998| volume = 46 | pages = 101–110 | doi = 10.1046/j.1365-2125.1998.00764.x}}</ref>
===In sunscreens===
In the past [[psoralen]] - extracted from bergamot oil - has been used in [[tanning accelerator]]s and [[sunscreen controversy|sunscreens]]. Psoralens penetrate the skin, where they increase the amount of [[direct DNA damage]]. This damage is responsible for sunburn and for an increased melanin production. </br>
These substances were known to be [[photocarcinogen]]ic since 1959,<ref name=Urbach> {{cite journal |author=Urbach, F |title=Modification of ultraviolet carcinogenesis by photoactive agents |url= http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13641813?dopt=Abstract&holding=npg |journal=J Invest Dermatol |volume=32 |issue= |pages= 373–378 |year=1959 |pmid=13641813 |issn=}}</ref>
but they were only banned from sunscreens in 1995.<ref name=Autier> {{cite journal |author=Autier P; Dore J F; Schifflers E; et al |title=Melanoma and use of sunscreens: An EORTC case control study in Germany, Belgium and France |url= |journal=Int. J. Cancer |volume=61 |issue= |pages=749–755 |year=1995|doi=10.1002/ijc.2910610602}}</ref>
These photocarcinogenic substances were banned years after they had caused many cases of malignant melanoma and deaths.<ref name=Autier1997> {{cite journal |author=Autier P. ; Dore J.-F. ; Cesarini J.-P. |title=Should subjects who used psoralen suntan activators be screened for melanoma?|url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/t6222620211w50w9/ |journal=Annals of oncology |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=435–437 |year=1997|issn=0923-7534 |doi=10.1023/A:1008205513771 |pmid=9233521}}</ref>
Psoralen is now used only in the treatment of certain skin disorders, as part of [[PUVA]] therapy.
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://wlnaturalhealth.com/essential-oils-profiles/bergamot.htm Bergamot essential oil in aromatherapy] - possible therapeutic uses
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4883068.stm BBC news story on the farming of Bergamot in the Calabria region of Italy]
*[http://www.ot-nancy.fr/uk/se_restaurer/specialites.php Information about the hard candy ''bergamote de Nancy'']
[[Category:Citrus]]
[[ar:البرغموت]]
[[de:Bergamotte]]
[[et:Bergamott]]
[[es:Citrus × bergamia]]
[[eo:Bergamotujo]]
[[fr:Bergamote]]
[[it:Citrus × bergamia]]
[[ka:ბერგამოტი]]
[[mk:Бергамот]]
[[nl:Bergamot (citrusvrucht)]]
[[ja:ベルガモット]]
[[no:Bergamott]]
[[pl:Pomarańcza bergamota]]
[[pt:Citrus bergamia]]
[[ru:Бергамот]]
[[sl:Bergamot]]
[[fi:Bergamotti]]
[[sv:Bergamott]]
[[yi:בערגאמאט]]
[[zh:佛手柑]]