Bergapten

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) is a psoralen (also known as furocoumarins) found in bergamot essential oil, in other citrus essential oils,^[1] and in grapefruit juice.^[2] It is the chemical in bergamot oil that causes phototoxicity.^[3] Bergapten-free bergamot essential oil or synthetics are now used in perfumery.

References

↑ Calvarano I., Calvarano M., Gionfriddo F., Bovalo F., Postorino E. (1995). “HPLC profile of citrus essential oils from different species and geographic origin”. Essenze Derivati agrumari. 65: 488–502.
↑ Sakamaki N., Nakazato M., Matsumoto H., Hagino K., Hirata K., Ushiyama H. (2008). “Contents of furanocoumarins in grapefruit juice and health foods”. Journal of the Food Hygienic Society of Japan. 49 (4): 326–331. doi:10.3358/shokueishi.49.326. PMID 18787320.
↑ Francesco Gionfriddo, Enrico Postorino and Giuseppe Calabrò (2004). “Elimination of Furocoumarins in Bergamot Peel Oil”. Perfumer & Flavorist. 29.

Overview