Characterization of Flavonoids and Pectins from Bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) Peel, a Major Byproduct of Essential Oil Extraction.

Bergamot peel is an underutilized byproduct of the essential oil and juice-processing industry. As
with other Citrus peels, it still contains exploitable components, such as pectins and flavonoids.
Commercial glycoside hydrolases, specifically a combination of pectolytic and cellulolytic enzymes,
solubilized a high percentage of the material (81.94%). The flavonoid profile of the peel consisted of
characteristic Citrus species flavanone rutinosides and neohesperosides derived from naringenin,
eriodictyol, and hesperetin. In addition, a number of minor flavanone and flavone glycosides, not
found in orange and lemon peels, were identified. The majority of flavonoids were extracted in the
two 70% v/v EtOH extractions. Processing this material clearly has economic potential leading to
low environmental impact.