Geographical origin identification of Pujiang Kyoho grapes in China using stable isotope and elemental profiles

Abstract

Grapes are an important seasonal fresh fruit in China, and their quality and nutrition is closely linked to their geographical origin. Stable isotopes and elemental profiles of grapes and corresponding soils from different regions and harvest years were determined using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that stable isotope ratios and most elemental contents of grapes were significantly correlated to distinct regions and different harvest years. Na, Li, V, Co, Ni and Pb contents of grapes and corresponding soils were positively correlated, while Mg, Cu, Rb and Sr were negatively correlated (p < 0.05). A supervised chemometric model (random forest) was used to discriminate PGI Pujiang grapes from four other grape producing regions with 100% accuracy. These findings confirm that stable isotopes and multi-elements combined with chemometric analysis can effectively improve the accuracy of grape origin identification and minimize fraudulent mislabeling.