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

The quality of an essential oil is determined by its composition as well as by the complex aroma features. The aimof this work was to analyze the effectiveness of electronic nose (e-nose) systems to detect quality and genuineness ofbergamot essential oils (BEOs). Tested methods included volatile analysis with the e-nose based on metal-oxide semi-10 conductor sensors and analysis of chemical composition of essential oil by chromatography (GC/FID, GC/MS). Thepaper reports preliminary results on the potential of an e-nose to discriminate natural cold-pressed bergamot oil (BEOC-P) from those deterpenated and bergapten-free; between samples obtained from different cultivars; from samplesobtained from fruit grown in the Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) area and those outside the PDO; andfinally from synthetic essential oils (SEO). This feasibility study has confirmed that an e-nose demonstrates the ability15 to supply a concrete support to BEO quality control. The e-noses, with subsequent DFA treatment of data, offer theadvantages of rapidity and reliability. Further validation studies are currently under way with the aim of enrichingand updating the databases of reference for BEOs. In order to broaden the range of e-nose use, tests on sensors chiralcomportment are in progress, in order to bring this same approach in the study of adulteration of BEOs.