Identification of geographical origins of Schisandra fruits in China based on stable carbon isotope ratio analysis

摘要

A method based on elemental analyser-isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA-IRMS) was developed for the identification of the geographical origins of Schisandra fruits which are used as traditional Chinese medicines and important food materials. A total of 96 authentic samples from seven provinces in China were collected and subjected to stable carbon isotope ratio analysis (SCIRA), and the results showed that there were significant differences between the mean δ13C values of samples from different origins. By using single analyte δ13C, the Schisandra fruits from northeast China and south China could potentially be discriminated. A follow-up study will combine trace elements with stable isotope ratios to analyse a larger set of samples, to confirm the discrimination capability of 13C and to enhance the discrimination between close geographical regions.