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Steam distillation separates oil of bergamot into a volatile fraction (85—95% of the original pressed oil) which has a qualitatively significant IR absorption but no appreciable UV absorption in the 270—375 mμ, range. The relatively small steam nonvolatile fraction, however, has significant absorption in the 270—375 mμ range; maximum at 313 mμ, minimum at 277 mμ, and a ratio of 2.45 ± 0.07 for A313/A277. The steam nonvolatile fraction of bergamot consists primarily of the furocoumarin bergaptene. These compounds classed as psoralens have been reported to induce sensitization of the skin under the influence of sunlight or UV irradiation. Initial studies to separate bergamot oil constituents from mixtures have been partially successful. Work on commercial mixtures, and on characterizing the nonvolatile fraction by chemical and physical means, will be continued.