Bergamot oil |

Last updated: 22/08/2025
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(Also known as: bergamot essential oil; begamot extract) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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Bergamot oil is extracted from the fruit from bergamot orange trees and may be used as a mild insect repellent |
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Mosquitos; Flies; Dogs; Cats |
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Domestic and public health situations |
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Residential properties; Public places |
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Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Sapindales; Family: Rutaceae |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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No |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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Bergamot oil is a complex mixture of organic compounds and some of its key constituents are isomeric. For example, it includes linalool and linalyl acetate which are stereoisomers. Bergamot also contains bergamotenes that are sesquiterpenes that exist in multiple isomeric forms, including the structural isomers alpha-bergamotene and beta-bergamotene, each of which has cis and trans stereoisomers. |
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No |
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Insecticide; Semiochemical |
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Plant-derived substance; Plant oil |
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Natural; Complex mixture |
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Non-toxic mode of action. Suffocates insects and smell acts as a repellent |
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The oil is extracted from the rinds of fruit from bergamot orange trees (Citrus bergamia and Citrus aurantium). The latter is a an interspecific hybrid and grown mainly in the Mediterranean (particularly Italy) and in southeast Asia. |
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Repellent |
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Mosquitos; Flies; Dogs; Cats |
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Residential properties; Public places |
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8007-75-8 |
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89957-91-5 |
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289-612-9 |
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bergamot oil |
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FEMA=2153; FLAVIS=16.047 |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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An oily pale yellow liquid with a fruity citrus smell. It has a variable composition which includes a large number of volatile organic subbstances ibncluding pinene, limonene, terpinolene and neral |
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Current |
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1686, introduced as perfume; early-2000s, bioactivity investigated; 2020s, recognised as a biopesticide |
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- Bergamot Calabria
- Capua 1800 Italy
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Commercial production of bergamot oil centres around the cultivation of Citrus bergamia. The fruit is typically harvested in winter when its peel contains the highest concentration of aromatic compounds. The essential oil is extracted using cold pressing, particularly with mechanical systems like Pelatrice extractors, which gently rupture the oil glands in the peel without applying heat, preserving the delicate fragrance profile rich in linalyl acetate, limonene, and linalool. After extraction, the oil is filtered and, depending on its intended use, maybe refined to remove phototoxic components like bergapten, producing furanocoumarin-free varieties for safer use. |
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Data for specific plant oils is scarce. However, from publicly available data the carbon footprint of plant oils has been estimated at between 1.0 and 4.0 kg CO₂e per kg of oil. This depends on the plant oil content, agricultural practices and processing methods used. |
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1767 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source at 25°C |
High |
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215 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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56 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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0.876 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Readily biodegradable |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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> 5000 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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> 5000 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
No data found |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data |
No data found |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
?Possibly, status not identified |
No data found |
?Possibly, status not identified |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
No data found |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
?Possibly, status not identified |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
?Possibly, status not identified |
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May stimulates the central nervous system One of the constituents of bergamot, bergaptene is a skin sensitiser May cause dermatitis |
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Not explosive or oxidising Flammable - Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames and hot surfaces IMDG Transport hazard Class 3 When heated to decomposition it will emit acrid smoke and irritating fumes |
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Handling: H226 Health: H304, H315, H317, H319, H361 Environment: H400, H411, H412 |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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UN1169 |
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Packaging group III (minor danger) |
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Stable when stored in a cool, dark place for approx. 2 years. |
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bergamot oil |
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Record last updated: |
22/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |