Effectiveness of electronic nose systems to detect bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau) essential oil quality and genuineness

Abstract

The quality of an essential oil is determined by its composition as well as by the complex aroma features. The aim of this work was to analyze the effectiveness of electronic nose (e-nose) systems to detect quality and genuineness of bergamot essential oils (BEOs). Tested methods included volatile analysis with the e-nose based on metal-oxide semiconductor sensors and analysis of chemical composition of essential oil by chromatography (GC/FID, GC/MS). The paper reports preliminary results on the potential of an e-nose to discriminate natural cold-pressed bergamot oil (BEO C-P) from those deterpenated and bergapten-free; between samples obtained from different cultivars; from samples obtained from fruit grown in the Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) area and those outside the PDO; and finally from synthetic essential oils (SEO). This feasibility study has confirmed that an e-nose demonstrates the ability to supply a concrete support to BEO quality control. The e-noses, with subsequent DFA treatment of data, offer the advantages of rapidity and reliability. Further validation studies are currently under way with the aim of enriching and updating the databases of reference for BEOs. In order to broaden the range of e-nose use, tests on sensors chiral comportment are in progress, in order to bring this same approach in the study of adulteration of BEOs.

Keywords:

• Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau
• bergamot essential oil
• artificial olfactory system
• electronic nose
• metal oxide semiconductor