title: Multi-element, multi-compound isotope profiling as a means to distinguish the geographical and varietal origin of fermented cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) beans.
abstract: Multi-element stable isotope ratios have been assessed as a means to distinguish between fermented cocoa beans from different geographical and varietal origins. Isotope ratios and percentage composition for C and N were measured in different tissues (cotyledons, shells) and extracts (pure theobromine, defatted cocoa solids, protein, lipids) obtained from fermented cocoa bean samples. Sixty-one samples from 24 different geographical origins covering all four continental areas producing cocoa were analyzed. Treatment of the data with unsupervised (Principal Component Analysis) and supervised (Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis) multiparametric statistical methods allowed the cocoa beans from different origins to be distinguished. The most discriminant variables identified as responsible for geographical and varietal differences were the δ(15)N and δ(13)C values of cocoa beans and some extracts and tissues. It can be shown that the isotope ratios are correlated with the altitude and precipitation conditions found in the different cocoa-growing regions.
authors.affiliation: Elucidation of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectrometry (EBSI) Group, CEISAM, University of Nantes-CNRS UMR6230, 2 rue de la Houssinière, BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diomande
authors.affiliation: Elucidation of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectrometry (EBSI) Group, CEISAM, University of Nantes-CNRS UMR6230, 2 rue de la Houssinière, BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Antheaume
authors.affiliation: Elucidation of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectrometry (EBSI) Group, CEISAM, University of Nantes-CNRS UMR6230, 2 rue de la Houssinière, BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Maël
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leroux
authors.affiliation: Elucidation of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectrometry (EBSI) Group, CEISAM, University of Nantes-CNRS UMR6230, 2 rue de la Houssinière, BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lalande
authors.affiliation: Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire de Synthèse et Physico-Chimie de Molécules d'Intérêt Biologique, UMR CNRS 5068, Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balayssac
authors.affiliation: Elucidation of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectrometry (EBSI) Group, CEISAM, University of Nantes-CNRS UMR6230, 2 rue de la Houssinière, BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes, France. Electronic address: gerald.remaud@univ-nantes.fr.
authors.forename: Gérald S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Remaud
authors.affiliation: Elucidation of Biosynthesis by Isotopic Spectrometry (EBSI) Group, CEISAM, University of Nantes-CNRS UMR6230, 2 rue de la Houssinière, BP 92208, F-44322 Nantes, France. Electronic address: illa.tea@univ-nantes.fr.
authors.forename: Illa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tea
mesh_terms: D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D005285:Fermentation; D005843:Geography; D007554:Isotopes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007554:Isotopes
keywords: Cocoa; Environment effect; Geographical origin; Isotope ratio monitoring by mass spectrometry