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Is it really organic? - multi-isotopic analysis as a tool to discriminate between organic and conventional plants

Laursen, K.H.; Mihailova, A.; Kelly , S.D.; Epov, V.N.; Berail, S.; Schjoerring, J.K.; Donard, O.F.X.; Larsen, E.H.; Pedentchouck, N.; Marca-Bell, A.D.; Halekoh, U.; Olesen, Jørgen E. and Husted, S. (2013) Is it really organic? - multi-isotopic analysis as a tool to discriminate between organic and conventional plants. Food Chemistry, 141, pp. 2812-2820.

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Summary

Novel procedures for analytical authentication of organic plant products are urgently needed. Here we present the first study encompassing stable isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, magnesium and sulphur as well as compound-specific nitrogen and oxygen isotope analysis of nitrate for discrimination of organically and conventionally grown plants. The study was based on wheat, barley, faba bean and potato produced in rigorously controlled long-term field trials comprising 144 experimental plots. Nitrogen isotope analysis revealed the use of animal manure, but was unable to discriminate between plants that were fertilized with synthetic nitrogen fertilizers or green manures from atmospheric nitrogen fixing legumes. This limitation was bypassed using oxygen isotope analysis of nitrate in potato tubers, while hydrogen isotope analysis allowed complete discrimination of organic and conventional wheat and barley grains. It is concluded, that multi-isotopic analysis has the potential to disclose fraudulent substitutions of organic with conventionally cultivated plants.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Subjects:"Organics" in general
Farming Systems
Crop husbandry
Knowledge management > Education, extension and communication > Technology transfer
Values, standards and certification
Food systems
Knowledge management > Education, extension and communication
Research affiliation: European Union > CORE Organic II > AuthenticFood
Denmark > KU - University of Copenhagen
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:249667
DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.05.068
Deposited By: Holst Laursen, Assis Prof Kristian
ID Code:22891
Deposited On:09 Aug 2013 08:48
Last Modified:09 Aug 2013 08:48
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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