Essential oil composition of different cultivars of bergamot grown in Sicily

Cold-pressed peel essential oils of different cultivars of bergamot (Citrus bergamia, Risso et Poiteau), "Castagnaro", "Feminello", "Fantastico" and a new clone of the Feminello cultivar, named "PCF", were analysed. The oils were obtained from bergamot plants of Calabrian origin cultivated in an exp erimental field in Sicily. The oils were analysed by HRGC and HRGC/MS. Seve nty-five compounds, representing an average of 99.9% of the whole volatile fraction, were identified in each oil on polar and apolar capillary columns . The enantiomeric distribution of linalol and linalyl acetate was studied by enantioselective capillary gas chromatography with modified cyclodextrin s as chiral stationary phases. The oils were compared with each other and w ith previously analysed genuine Calabrian bergamot oils. The compounds iden tified were in accordance with the Calabrian bergamot oils and only some qu antitative differences appeared. "Feminello" gave the best quality oil, as already assessed for the same cultivar grown in Calabria. The enantiomeric compositions of the chiral constituents analysed were in agreement with tho se reported in the literature for genuine cold-pressed bergamot oils.