Multielement stable isotope ratios (H, C, N, S) of honey from different European regions

The aim of this study as a part of the food traceability project “TRACE” funded by the EU was to investigate if honeys produced in regions with different climatic and geological characteristics could be discriminated on the basis of the isotopic data. The hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and sulphur stable isotope ratios of 516 authentic honeys from 20 European regions are presented and discussed. As honey contains only small quantities of nitrogen and sulphur, the honey protein was precipitated in order to obtain measurable amounts of these elements. The mean hydrogen isotopic ratios of the honey protein were found to be significantly correlated with the mean hydrogen isotopic ratios of precipitation and groundwater in the production regions. Carbon isotopic ratios were influenced by climate. The sulphur stable isotope composition is clearly influenced by geographical location (sea spray effect) and surface geology of the production regions. The results show that the stable isotope ratios of the four bio-elements carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and sulphur in honey protein can be applied to verify the origin of honey. Carbon and sulphur were identified by canonical discriminant analysis as providing the maximum discrimination between honey samples. For seven regions the percentage of correct classified samples is greater than 70%. It was concluded that the methodology in its current state can be used to provide reliable origin information.