Stable isotope analysis for origin assignment of animal products: geographical provenance determination of meat using mass spectrometric multi-element stable isotope analysis (H, C, N, S).

摘要

Stable isotope analysis of the elements hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and sulphur (H, C, N and S) is applied for origin assignment of animal products as meat using fat free dry matter as a probe. Procedures for the preparation of the substance for analysis and the performance of the stable isotope analysis are not yet officially acknowledged, but testing of the relevant methods as a requirement for their official adoption is in progress. A database of authentic samples from regions under investigation has to be provided, which is already done for several years in some European countries and currently is in preparation for nearly all European countries in the frame of a running EU project. Results for authentic samples and for commercial products of unknown provenance have to be compared using various data evaluation systems depending on the questions to be answered. The possibilities of the methodology are described for examples of beef, pig, chicken, fish, and lamb meat. For future development the inclusion of additional elements' isotopic ratios (e.g. Sr, B) and/or compound specific or positional stable isotope analyses are envisaged. It is possible to combine stable isotope results with those from compositional analyses, too.