title: Carbon and nitrogen natural stable isotopes in Slovene honey: adulteration and botanical and geographical aspects.
abstract: Isotope parameters (δ(13)C(honey), δ(13)C(protein), δ(15)N) were determined for 271 honey samples of 7 types (black locust, multifloral, lime, chestnut, forest, spruce, and fir honeys) from 4 natural geographical regions of Slovenia. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were measured to elucidate the applicability of this method in the identification of the botanical and geographical origin of honey and in honey adulteration. Only 2.2% of the samples were adulterated according to the internal standard carbon isotope ratio analysis method. Botanical origin did not have any major influence on the honey isotope profiles; only black locust honey showed higher δ(13)C values. Some differences were seen across different production years, indicating that the influence of season should be further tested. Statistical and multivariate analyses demonstrated differences among honeys of various geographical origins. Those from the Alpine region had low δ(13)C (-26.0‰) and δ(15)N values (1.1‰); those from the Mediterranean region, high δ(13)C (-24.6‰) and medium δ(15)N values (2.2‰); those from the Pannonian region, medium δ(13)C (-25.6‰) and high δ(15)N value (3.0‰); and those from the Dinaric region, medium δ(13)C (-25.7‰) and low δ(15)N values (1.4‰).
authors.affiliation: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. urska.kropf@bf.uni-lj.si
authors.forename: Urška
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kropf
authors.forename: Terezija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Golob
authors.forename: Marijan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nečemer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kump
authors.forename: Mojca
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korošec
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bertoncelj
authors.forename: Nives
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ogrinc
mesh_terms: D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry; D011786:Quality Control; D017524:Slovenia
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes