As the 20% flavanone grade within the BPF® portfolio, BPF® 20% provides the characteristic Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction profile in a versatile format for cardiovascular, metabolic, antioxidant and healthy-aging formulations.
BPF® 20% is a standardized bergamot fruit juice extract produced from authentic Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau grown in Calabria, Italy.
It provides:
This combination of botanical identity, Calabrian origin and defined phytochemical standardization distinguishes BPF® 20% from generic citrus bergamot extracts.
The bergamot used in BPF® 20% is grown in Calabria, Italy, the region historically associated with cultivation of authentic Citrus bergamia.
Calabria’s distinctive Mediterranean growing environment has supported commercial bergamot cultivation for generations and remains closely associated with the botanical identity of the fruit.
For formulators, this provides a clearly defined geographic and botanical origin for the starting material used to produce BPF® 20%.
BPF® 20% is produced from the fruit juice of Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau.
The bergamot juice provides the starting botanical material from which the polyphenolic fraction is concentrated and standardized to produce BPF® 20%.
The resulting ingredient combines the characteristic phytochemical profile of authentic bergamot with defined concentrations of total polyphenols and the five principal bergamot flavanones.
BPF® 20% provides ≥20% combined flavanones.
The five flavanones included in this standardization are:
Neoeriocitrin + Naringin + Neohesperidin + Melitidin + Brutieridin
The combined flavanone concentration is determined using HPLC-UV analysis.
At the minimum 20% specification:
BPF® 20% | Combined Flavanones |
500 mg | ≥100 mg |
650 mg | ≥130 mg |
1,000 mg | ≥200 mg |
1,300 mg | ≥260 mg |
Actual flavanone content may be higher depending on the assay of the individual production lot.
BPF® 20% provides 40% total polyphenols together with ≥20% combined flavanones.
These are two different measures of the ingredient’s phytochemical composition.
Total polyphenols represent the broader polyphenolic fraction of the bergamot extract.
Combined flavanones refer specifically to the five principal bergamot flavanones: neoeriocitrin, naringin, neohesperidin, melitidin and brutieridin.
Understanding both measurements provides a more complete picture of a standardized bergamot polyphenol fraction than either number alone.
BPF® 20% is standardized to five principal bergamot flavanones:
Neoeriocitrin
A naturally occurring citrus flavanone and an important component of the characteristic bergamot phytochemical profile.
Naringin
A well-known citrus flavanone occurring naturally in bergamot and other citrus species.
Neohesperidin
Another major citrus flavanone contributing to the characteristic composition of bergamot.
Melitidin
A characteristic bergamot flavanone derivative that has received particular scientific interest in relation to lipid metabolism.
Brutieridin
Another characteristic bergamot flavanone derivative investigated as part of the distinctive phytochemical composition of Citrus bergamia.
Together, these five compounds comprise the ≥20% combined flavanone standardization of BPF® 20%.
Melitidin and brutieridin are particularly interesting components of the bergamot flavanone profile because of their characteristic occurrence in Citrus bergamia.
They have also attracted scientific interest because of their structural characteristics and their relationship to biological pathways associated with cholesterol metabolism.
Their inclusion alongside neoeriocitrin, naringin and neohesperidin provides a broader phytochemical fingerprint than measuring only one or two common citrus flavanones.
The BPF® approach therefore considers the complete five-flavanone profile rather than relying exclusively on a headline total-polyphenol number.
Polyphenols are a broad family of naturally occurring plant compounds. Flavanones represent a more specific class within that larger family.
For BPF® 20%:
Total polyphenols = 40%
Five standardized bergamot flavanones = ≥20%
A citrus extract described as “40% polyphenols” therefore should not be interpreted as containing 40% bergamot flavanones.
For formulators comparing citrus bergamot ingredients, both the overall polyphenol concentration and the specific flavanone profile provide useful information about ingredient composition.
“Citrus bergamot extract” is a broad ingredient description that does not necessarily establish the extract’s detailed phytochemical composition.
BPF® 20% is characterized by:
This provides formulators with a specifically characterized bergamot polyphenol fraction rather than an extract defined only by its botanical name.
The BPF® portfolio provides different concentrations of the characteristic bergamot flavanone fraction.
Ingredient | Combined Flavanones | Portfolio Position |
BPF® 20% | ≥20% | Versatile lower-concentration BPF® grade |
BPF® 30% | 30% | Intermediate-concentration grade |
BPF® 38% | 38% | Concentrated BPF® grade |
BPF Gold® | 47% | Highest-concentration BPF® grade |
BPF® 20% additionally provides 40% total polyphenols.
The different grades allow formulators to select the concentration appropriate to the intended dosage, serving size, delivery system and finished-product positioning.
BPF® 20% provides a versatile entry into the BPF® ingredient platform.
It may be particularly useful when the formulation calls for:
The availability of multiple BPF® concentrations allows the ingredient selection to be matched to the specific formulation objective.
No.
BPF® 20% contains no added carriers or solvents and is spray dried.
This provides formulators with a concentrated bergamot fruit juice extract without the addition of a carrier to achieve its standardized polyphenol and flavanone profile.
BPF® 20% belongs to the broader Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF®) platform, which has been investigated in an extensive program of human clinical research.
The BPF® clinical program includes research examining areas such as:
Individual BPF® studies have used different standardized BPF® preparations and dosages. The Bergamonte® Clinical Studies Library identifies the ingredient preparation, study population, dosage and outcomes associated with individual publications.
Human research on the BPF® platform has investigated multiple aspects of cardiometabolic health.
Reported findings across the research program include changes in:
This body of research has helped establish BPF® as one of the extensively investigated standardized citrus bergamot extract platforms.
The specific ingredient grade, dosage, duration and study population vary among publications.
Yes. Healthy cholesterol and lipid metabolism are central applications for the broader BPF® platform.
Bergamot polyphenols have been investigated in human studies examining:
BPF® 20% provides formulators with a standardized bergamot for cholesterol and cardiovascular wellness ingredient containing both 40% polyphenols and ≥20% of the characteristic five bergamot flavanones.
Finished-product claims depend on the applicable regulatory requirements of the market in which the product is sold.
Yes.
Cardiometabolic health reflects the interrelationship between several physiological factors, including:
The broader BPF® research program has investigated several of these interconnected areas.
BPF® 20% can therefore be incorporated into formulations targeting cardiovascular wellness, metabolic health, healthy lipid metabolism and antioxidant support.
Yes.
BPF® 20% provides 40% polyphenols, including ≥20% combined neoeriocitrin, naringin, neohesperidin, melitidin and brutieridin.
Bergamot polyphenols possess antioxidant properties that are relevant to the maintenance of normal cellular and cardiovascular function.
Antioxidant activity is also relevant to the broader cardiometabolic story because oxidative stress can interact with lipid oxidation, endothelial function and vascular health.
The appropriate amount depends on the desired flavanone delivery, formulation objective, serving size and substantiation strategy.
At the minimum ≥20% flavanone standardization:
Daily BPF® 20% | Minimum Combined Flavanones |
500 mg | ≥100 mg |
650 mg | ≥130 mg |
1,000 mg | ≥200 mg |
1,300 mg | ≥260 mg |
These values provide formulators with a straightforward way to calculate the minimum amount of combined bergamot flavanones delivered by a finished formulation.
Where a product is being developed around a particular published BPF® study, the ingredient grade and dosage used in that research should also be considered.
BPF® 20%, 30%, 38% and BPF Gold® 47% belong to the same BPF® ingredient platform and share the characteristic bergamot flavanone profile, but they provide different concentrations of those compounds.
For formulation calculations, the nominal flavanone delivery can be compared mathematically.
For example:
1,000 mg BPF® 20% = ≥200 mg combined flavanones
while:
1,000 mg BPF® 38% = approximately 380 mg combined flavanones.
Clinical equivalence is a separate consideration because published studies relate to the complete ingredient preparation and dosage investigated.
BPF® 20% is a yellow powder with an aromatic odor and flavor characteristic of bergamot.
Its principal physical parameters include:
Parameter | Characteristic |
Appearance | Yellow powder |
pH | 3.0–4.0 |
Average mesh size | 90% passes 60 mesh |
Tapped density | 50–70 g/100 mL |
Moisture | <8.0% |
As a natural botanical ingredient, some color variation may occur between production lots due to normal agricultural and harvest variability.
BPF® 20% is partially soluble in water at 40°C.
Its powdered format makes it suitable for evaluation in a range of dietary supplement delivery systems.
For aqueous applications, formulation parameters such as dispersion, pH, sedimentation, flavor and finished-product stability can be evaluated during product development.
BPF® 20% can be considered for a range of nutritional and nutraceutical formats, including:
Its ≥20% flavanone concentration provides flexibility where a larger botanical inclusion level is appropriate.
For formulations requiring greater flavanone delivery within a smaller serving size, BPF® 30%, BPF® 38% or BPF Gold® 47% provide progressively higher concentrations.
Yes.
BPF® 20% can be incorporated into multi-ingredient formulations targeting:
Potential complementary ingredient categories include plant sterols, omega-3 fatty acids, soluble fibers, CoQ10, magnesium and other nutrients or botanicals selected according to the intended finished-product positioning.
BPF® 20% combines botanical identity with chemical standardization.
Key characteristics include:
Botanical identity: Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau
Origin: Calabria, Italy
Part used: Fruit juice
Polyphenols: 40%
Combined flavanones: ≥20%
Flavanone profile: Neoeriocitrin, naringin, neohesperidin, melitidin and brutieridin
Analytical method: HPLC-UV for the combined flavanone specification
This approach provides both botanical and phytochemical characterization of the ingredient.
BPF® 20% has defined quality parameters covering heavy metals, microbiological quality and physical characteristics.
Heavy Metals
Parameter | Limit |
Arsenic | <1.0 mg/kg |
Lead | <0.5 mg/kg |
Cadmium | <0.5 mg/kg |
Mercury | <0.1 mg/kg |
Microbiological Quality
Parameter | Limit |
Aerobic Plate Count | <1,000 CFU/g |
Yeast and Mold | <100 CFU/g |
E. coli | Negative |
Coliform | Negative |
Salmonella | Negative |
These quality parameters complement the ingredient’s polyphenol and flavanone standardization.
BPF® 20% has a three-year shelf life when correctly stored.
It should be kept in a well-closed container and protected from:
Appropriate storage helps maintain the physical and chemical characteristics of the botanical ingredient throughout its shelf life.
A meaningful comparison of bergamot ingredients should consider more than a single headline percentage.
Important criteria include:
BPF® 20% combines Calabrian Citrus bergamia fruit juice, 40% polyphenols and ≥20% of the five characteristic bergamot flavanones.
Ingredient qualification can incorporate several complementary elements:
Together, these provide a more complete assessment of a bulk bergamot extract than relying solely on a generic “bergamot” declaration or a total-polyphenol percentage.
Qualified formulators, manufacturers, quality teams and regulatory professionals can obtain applicable technical information for BPF® 20%, including:
This documentation supports raw-material qualification and finished-product development.
BPF® 20% is available through HP Ingredients as part of the Bergamonte® BPF® ingredient portfolio.
Qualified manufacturers, formulators and contract manufacturers can request technical documentation, formulation support and samples for R&D evaluation.
For companies searching for a citrus bergamot extract supplier, bulk bergamot extract, bergamot manufacturer, bergamot supplement ingredient, bergamot polyphenols or standardized bergamot flavonoids, BPF® 20% provides a clearly characterized combination of:
Authentic Calabrian Citrus bergamia fruit juice extract + 40% polyphenols + ≥20% of the five characteristic bergamot flavanones.
