Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis Research Articles

On the Use of White Marbles in Roman Forum Sempronii (Fossombrone, Marche, Italy): An Overview of the Archaeometric Data on Architectural Elements

This paper presents the results of the characterisation, identification, provenance determination, and quantification of the white, greco scritto-like and polychrome marbles used for architectural purposes at Forum Sempronii, a Roman town in the Marche region of Italy. Samples of five fragments of white marble and one fragment of a greco scritto-like marble have been studied using mineralogical and petrographic observations and stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) of carbon and oxygen. Polychrome marbles were macroscopically identified by comparison with reference samples and available image databases. Analytical results of the white and greco scritto-like marbles identified the material as coming from the quarries of Carrara (Luni, Italy) and Proconnesos (Marmara, Saraylar, Turkey) for white marble, and of Ephesos-Hasançavuslar for greco scritto-like marble. Further, at least eleven imported polychrome stone varieties were distinguished. The study clearly illustrates that Forum Sempronii had access to the main marble trade networks of the Roman Mediterranean. The early attestation of Proconnesian marble at the town’s augusteum (i.e., Augustan date) is unique for central Adriatic Italy.

High-Density Balsamic Vinegar: Application of Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis to Determine Watering Down.

Balsamic vinegar of Modena (ABM) is a product obtained from concentrated grape must with the addition of wine vinegar. It can be adulterated with the addition of exogenous water. The official method EN16466-3, based on the analysis of the stable isotope ratio δ18O of the water, is not applicable to ABM with high density (above 1.20 at 20 °C). In this work, for the first time, the official method was modified, providing for a prior dilution of the sample and applying a correction of the data in order to eliminate the isotopic contribution of the diluent, whereupon the within- and between-day standard deviations of repeatability (Sr) were estimated. Considering the limit values of δ18O for vinegar and concentrated must, the threshold limit of δ18O, below which the ABM product can be considered adulterated, has been identified.

Spatial variations of biochemical content and stable isotope ratios of size-fractionated plankton in the Mediterranean Sea (MERITE-HIPPOCAMPE campaign)

Plankton represents the main source of carbon in marine ecosystems and is consequently an important gateway for contaminants into the marine food webs. During the MERITE– HIPPOCAMPE campaign in the Mediterranean Sea (April–May 2019), plankton was sampled from pumping and net tows at 10 stations from the French coast to the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia) to obtain different size fractions in contrasted regions. This study combines various approaches, including biochemical analyses, analyses of stable isotope ratios (δ13C, δ15N), cytometry analyses and mixing models (MixSiar) on size-fractions of phyto- and zooplankton from 0.7 to >2000 μm. Pico- and nanoplankton represented a large energetic resource at the base of pelagic food webs. Proteins, lipids, and stable isotope ratios increased with size in zooplankton and were higher than in phytoplankton. Stable isotope ratios suggest different sources of carbon and nutrients at the base of the planktonic food webs depending on the coast and the offshore area. In addition, a link between productivity and trophic pathways was shown, with high trophic levels and low zooplankton biomass recorded in the offshore area. The results of our study highlight spatial variations of the trophic structure within the plankton size-fractions and will contribute to assess the role of the plankton as a biological pump of contaminants.

Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for the Authentication of Natural Antioxidant Curcuminoids from Curcuma longa (Turmeric).

Curcuminoid complex, a mixture of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and didemethoxycurcumin, is one of the most popular antioxidants of natural origin, and it has a multitude of other health benefits. It is threatened by the proliferation of counterfeit products on the market containing synthetic curcuminoids whose addition is difficult to identify as they present the three curcuminoid forms in the correct ratios. Consequently, the necessity to detect this fraudulent practice is escalating. Carbon-14 analysis is the most effective available method, but it is also expensive and difficult to implement. This paper describes the first attempt to characterize natural curcuminoids and their synthetic form, used as an adulterant, through the analysis of stable isotope ratios of carbon and hydrogen (expressed as δ13C and δ2H). Carbon values greater than -28.6‱ and hydrogen values greater than -71‱ may indicate the addition of synthetic curcuminoids to the natural ones.

Geographical traceability of gelatin in China using stable isotope ratio analysis.

Geographical traceability is crucial to the quality and safety control of gelatin. However, currently, methods for gelatin traceability have not been established anywhere in the world. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of differentiating the geographical origins of gelatin from different regions in China using stable isotope technology. To achieve this objective, 47 bovine stick bone samples from three different regions (Inner Mongolia, Shandong, and Guangxi, respectively) in China were collected, and gelatin was extracted from these bones using the enzymatic method. The fingerprint characteristics of stable isotopes of δ13C, δ15N, and δ2H of gelatin from different regions in China were studied. Moreover, isotopic changes from the bone to gelatin during the processing were examined to evaluate the effectiveness of these factors as origin indicators. The results of the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the δ13C, δ15N, and δ2H of gelatin from different regions display significant differences, and using the linear discriminant analysis (LDA), the correct differentiation of origin reached 97.9%. Certain differences in stable isotope ratios were observed during the processing of bone to gelatin samples. Nonetheless, the fractionation effect caused by the processing of bone to gelatin samples was not sufficient to influence the identification of gelatin from different origins, which proves that δ13C, δ15N, and δ2H are effective origin indicators of gelatin. In conclusion, the stable isotope ratio analysis combined with the chemometric analysis can be used as a reliable tool for identifying gelatin traceability.

Fatty Acid and Multi-Isotopic Analysis (C, H, N, O) as a Tool to Differentiate and Valorise the Djebel Lamb from the Mountainous Region of Tunisia.

The objective of this study was to distinguish between the Tunisian Djebel lamb meat and meat from typical Tunisian production systems (PSs) through the fatty acids (FAs) profile and the stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA). Thirty-five lambs from three different regions and PSs (D = Djebel, B = Bou-Rebiaa, and O = Ouesslatia) were considered for this purpose. The results demonstrated that the PS and the geographic origin strongly influenced the FA profile of lamb meat. It was possible to discriminate between the Djebel lamb meat and the rest of the dataset thanks to the quantification of the conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and the branched chain FAs. Moreover, statistically different concentrations of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FAs and a different n-6/n-3 ratio were found for grazing (D and BR) and indoor (O) lambs, making it possible to discriminate between them. As for the stable isotope ratio analysis, all parameters made it possible to distinguish among the three groups, primarily on the basis of the dietary regimen (δ(13C) and δ(15N)) and breeding area (δ(18O) and δ(2H)).

Isolation of casein for stable isotope ratio analysis of butter, cheese, and milk powder.

Stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) is commonly used for the authentication of dairy commodities, providing evidence to support the geographical origin and production background of products. We set out to optimise methods for the isolation of a common constituent (casein) from three dairy commodities, which would permit easier inter- and intra-commodity comparisons following SIRA. Three published methods for isolation of protein (from cheese, milk, and butter) were adapted to yield protein (casein) fractions from commercial cheddar cheese, whole milk powder (WMP), and butter samples with a high degree of purity for subsequent SIRA. The casein fractions isolated underwent elemental analysis (H, C, and N), protein determination, and some also underwent SIRA of O and S. Two-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc comparisons tested differences between methods. For each product, an optimised casein isolation method was chosen based on the C/N ratio and protein content. An optimum solvent lipid extraction (petroleum spirit-diethyl ether (2:1)) and casein precipitation method was chosen for cheddar cheese casein. A final solvent lipid extraction (heptane-isopropanol (3:2)) was necessary for WMP and butter casein extraction. δ13 C and δ2 H values validated the methods' abilities to remove contaminating lipid and isolate pure casein. Casein of high purity, for subsequent SIRA, can be isolated from cheddar cheese, WMP, and butter following modifications of previously published methods.

Determining the geographical origin of durum wheat samples by combining strontium isotope ratio and multielemental analyses

AbstractBackground and objectivesDetermining the geographical origin of durum wheat is an important and emerging challenge because consumers perceive added value of final products (e.g., pasta) depending on the origin. Declaration of geographical origin is also an emerging requirement of specific national regulations. Among analytical strategies for determining geographical origins of samples, isotopic techniques based on both light and radiogenic isotope targets stand out, despite limitations of applicability, validation and assessment of interyear variability.FindingsIn this study, 87Sr/86Sr isotopic analysis was successfully used to discriminate Italian (ITA) samples versus rest‐of‐the world (RoW) samples and subsequently integrated with an elemental analysis (ICP‒MS) on 75 elements. A tiered approach was finally adopted in which the results of the 87Sr/86Sr analysis were input to a second step of support vector machine classification modeling (SVMC) based on the Al, Mn, Mo, P, S, Ti, Y, and Zn percentages in each sample. This model was tested against a blind group of samples with overall satisfactory performance.ConclusionValuable information from multielemental and stable isotope ratio analyses was collected for authentic samples from different Italian, European, and non‐European regions harvested during different years.Significance and noveltyThis study demonstrates the potential and validity of an innovative combined multielemental and strontium isotope ratio approach for the geographic discrimination of durum wheat on a global scale: the developed predictive model has already been routinely employed to control industrial lots.

Timber origin verification using mass spectrometry: Challenges, opportunities, and way forward

To fight the illegal timber trade, there is an increasing need to accurately verify or determine the harvest origin of timber. Next to genetic methods, mass spectrometry is being pushed forward as a possible tool towards this problem, especially via stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) and direct analysis in real time – time of flight mass spectrometry (DART-TOFMS). However, there are key scientific questions that need to be answered before these techniques can be scaled up and routinely and robustly applied. For SIRA, we need to understand better the effects of single ring versus ring pooling, cellulose versus whole wood and species or site differences. For DART-TOFMS, we need to investigate what drives the differences in metabolomic fingerprint between locations, and how much of that difference can be attributed to environmental or genetic effects, especially if we want to advance the use of DART-TOFMS for timber origin questions. In this paper, the important difference between origin verification and determination is discussed, a review of the state of the art is provided and a way forward and experimental design is presented to tackle these scientific questions.

Maternal Nutrition Affects Nitrogen Isotopic Signature in Blood Plasma of Beef Cattle Dams and Their Offspring.

This study evaluated the effects of gestational supplementation strategy on nitrogen isotopic signature in blood plasma of beef cows and their progeny. The study comprised 15 pregnant Nellore cows divided into three different supplementation protocols: NP) non-programmed group; PP) cows receiving protein-energy supplement in the last third of pregnancy; and FP) cows receiving protein-energy supplement throughout the gestational period. Blood plasma from cows was sampled at the beginning of gestation, in the prepartum, and postpartum periods as well as from their calves at 30 and 180 days of age, for the analysis of stable isotope ratios 15 N/14 N. At pre- and postpartum periods, cows fed PP and FP presented greater abundance of δ15 N compared to NP (p < 0.05) at pre- and postpartum. All three groups showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the postpartum period. The δ15 N values of calves at 30 days of age differed between the NP group and PP and FP groups (p < 0.05), with no difference (p > 0.05) at 180 days of age. The different gestational supplementation strategies influenced isotopic fractionation of nutrients of cows and their calves after birth, indicating effects on nutritional metabolism and cumulative behavior on isotope abundance related to consumption during gestation.

Tricolored bats at a southern range edge exhibit partial migration northward in autumn

BackgroundAnimal migration is a widespread global adaptation by which individuals move in response to environmental conditions to reach more favorable conditions. For bats in temperate climates, migration and hibernation are often associated with each other when these bats must migrate to reach suitable overwintering sites. However, differences in movement across the geographical range of a species and the degree to which hibernation drives migratory behavior of bats in subtropical climates, where conditions may remain warm with available prey year-round, remains incomplete. Understanding the migratory strategies of subtropical bats during winter is of increasing importance as they are threatened by stressors such as disease and environmental change.MethodsWe evaluated migration patterns of tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) in Florida, USA, through analysis of stable hydrogen isotope ratios of the fur. We inferred the summer geographic origins of the fur samples and estimated the minimum distance and likely direction traveled by hibernating individuals. We used linear models to examine whether hibernation region, colony size, and an individual’s sex affected the distance traveled.ResultsWe sampled 111 bats hibernating at 40 sites and found that more than half (54.1%) of individuals were residents of the area in which they hibernated. We found that almost half of the sampled bats (43.2%) traveled from southern Florida to overwinter in North Florida. We also documented three individuals that traveled > 100 km from northerly origins, one of which had traveled an estimated minimum distance of 1382 km. We also found that tricolored bats moved farther to reach hibernacula in Northwest Florida and hibernacula with more populous colonies, with no difference in movement between sexes.ConclusionsOur results indicate a pattern of northward autumnal movements of tricolored bats in the subtropical southeastern portion of their range. We suggest that bats are differentially constrained at the edge of their geographical range, resulting in movement contrary to what is expected. Even though we found that few (2.7%) bats moved into Florida from farther north, those migrants can potentially transfer the fungus that causes the deadly white-nose syndrome, which does not currently occur in the state. Our results support the characterization of tricolored bats as flexible partial migrators, with a rarely exercised capacity for long-distance movements.

Multi stable isotope ratio analysis for the traceability of northern Italian apples.

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry is a well-known technique used to trace the origin of agri-food products from different countries. Here this method was tested to trace the exact orchard of provenance of Italian apples harvested at sites close to each other. We measured the δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S values of apple subfractions (peel, petiole, pulp, seed) from two orchards in Ferrara and one orchard in Trento. Sulfur represents the best marker for tracing the regions of provenance of samples because it is linked to the presence of sulfate (Ferrara1: +9.0‰; Ferrara 2: +7.3‰) and sulfide (Trento: -1.3‰) minerals in soils. However, the δ13C of apple subfractions combined with the δ34S of seed in a linear discrimination analysis better discriminated the three orchards. The isotopic fingerprint of apples is thus significantly affected by the relative terroir, and it can be used as "isotopic identity card" to certify "protected designations of origin".

Can spatial food web subsidies associated with river hydrology and lateral connectivity be detected using stable isotopes?

During and following lateral connections, aquatic organisms residing in the river channel may assimilate material from sources imported from oxbows, and oxbow residents may consume and assimilate material imported from the channel. Hydrology, lateral connectivity, and stable isotope ratios of fishes and mussels were analyzed for evidence of spatial food web subsidies between the active channel and oxbow lakes in the floodplain of the Guadalupe River, Texas. During surveys conducted between March 2016 and April 2017, fish, mussel, periphyton, seston, and riparian plant samples were collected in and around two oxbows and adjacent channel sites for analysis of stable isotope ratios. Biplots of δ13C and δ15N were graphed for basal sources and specimens of six common fish species, four sunfish species (Lepomis spp. combined), and two mussel species (Unionidae combined) captured from oxbows and the channel. Within each graph, polygons were drawn to indicate the space occupied by animals that could have assimilated feasible combinations of source materials originating from either oxbows or the river channel. Based on positions of animals within source polygons, riparian C4 grasses were not an important source of organic matter supporting biomass of fishes and mussels within the channel or oxbows. Overall, 84% of organisms had isotopic signatures consistent with assimilation of in situ sources, but also 76% of all organisms were inconclusive with regards to cross-habitat exchanges. Outliers that may have assimilated ex situ source material were observed for only 4% of 313 organisms from oxbows and 9% of 232 organisms from the channel, and some but not all of these cases followed high flow pulses that connected oxbows for extended periods. Several issues that compromise inferences from stable isotope analysis were identified, and estimation of spatial food web subsidies in fluvial systems could be enhanced by analyzing additional biomarkers, such as isotopic ratios of other elements and compound-specific stable isotopes, as well as additional sources, time-specific biotracers, and experimental approaches that directly track movement of sources and organisms in spatially structured food webs.

Rapid discrimination of the authenticity and geographical origin of bear bile powder using stable isotope ratio and elemental analysis.

Bear bile powder (BBP) is one of the most famous traditional Chinese medicines derived from animals. It has a long history of medicinal use and is widely used in the treatment of hepatobiliary and ophthalmic diseases. Due to its similar morphological characterizations and chemical composition compared with other bile powders, it is difficult to accurately identify its authenticity. In addition, there are very few methods that could analyze the geographical origins of BBP. In this study, elemental analysis isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to determine stable isotope ratios and elemental contents, respectively. Combined these variables with chemometrics, the discrimination models were established successfully for identifying the authenticity and geographical origins of BBP. Meanwhile, the discrimination markers were identified by calculating the variable importance for the projection (VIP) value of each variable. A total of 13 discrimination markers (δ13C, δ15N, C, Li, Mg, K, Ca, Cr, Ni, Zn, As, Se, and Sr) were used to further establish the fingerprint of BBP. According to similarity analysis, the authenticity and geographical origins of BBP could be identified without chemometrics. In conclusion, the present study established a reliable method for authenticity identification and origin traceability of BBP, which will provide references for the quality control of bile medicines.

Polluting characteristics, sources, cancer risk, and cellular toxicity of PAHs bound in atmospheric particulates sampled from an economic transformation demonstration area of Dongguan in the Pearl River Delta, China

The Songshan Lake Science and Technology Industrial Park is a national economic transition demonstration area, which centers at a traditional industrial region, in Dongguan, China. We were interested in the involved atmospheric particulates-bound PAHs regarding their sources, cancer risk, and related cellular toxicity for those in other areas under comparable conditions. In this study, the daily concentrations of TSP, PM10, and PM2.5 were averaged 127.95, 95.91, and 67.62 μg/m3, and the bound PAHs were averaged 1.31, 1.22, and 0.77 ng/m3 in summer and 12.72, 20.51 and 40.27 ng/m3 in winter, respectively. The dominant PAHs were those with 5–6 rings, and 4–6 rings in summer and winter, respectively. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) (90th percentile probability) of total PAHs was above 1.00E-06 in each age group, particularly high in adolescents. Sensitivity analysis indicated that slope factor and body weight had greater impact than exposure duration and inhalation rate on the ILCR. Moreover, treatment of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells with mixed five indicative PAHs increased the formation of ROS, DNA damage (elevation in γ-H2AX), and protein levels of CAR, PXR, CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, while reduced the AhR protein, with the winter mixture more potent than summer. For the sources of PAHs, the stable carbon isotope ratio analysis and diagnostic ratios consistently pointed to petroleum and fossil fuel combustion as major sources. In conclusion, our findings suggest that particulates-bound PAHs deserve serious concerns for a cancer risk in such environment, and the development of new power sources for reducing fossil fuel combustion is highly encouraged.

Stable isotope ratio analysis combined with likelihood ratio as a new tool for establishing ethanol origin

Blood alcohol concentration is an important objective basis in traffic accidents and accounts for the majority of forensic toxicology worldwide each year. The origin of ethanol detected in bio-samples has three possible origins: consumption, contamination or decomposition, which are frequently at the center of legal disputes. The stable carbon isotope is a value that can characterize the origin of a substance and has received increasing attention from forensic chemistry researchers in recent years. In a previous study, the stable carbon isotope of ethanol showed its potential for traceability; however, the overlap between the δ13C values of different ethanol origins gradually appeared as the sample size increased. In this study, 324 alcohol consumption samples (group A), 97 contamination samples (group B), and 26 decomposition samples (group C) were analyzed by gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The δ13C values of the three groups ranged from –33.05 ‰ to −2.85 ‰ with different densities. The overlap interval of the groups ranged from 48.64 % to 56.69 % of the total. Based on the corresponding probability density curve, the likelihood ratio was used to describe the indication of ethanol origin. This study analyzed ten samples in real cases. Innovative pathway (stable carbon isotope -likelihood system) and traditional pathway (ethyl glucuronide-n-propanol system) were used to indicate the ethanol origin in the blood. This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential of combining stable isotope analysis with chemometrics to discriminate ethanol origin in alcohol-related cases and also provides new ideas to discriminate ethanol origin.

Dogs occupying grassy habitat near protected areas in eastern Madagascar rely on foods from forests

Societal Impact StatementIdentifying where introduced animals fit in a food web relative to each other and to endemic species is key for biodiversity conservation planning. Using a multiproxy study of dog feces from eastern Madagascar, we infer that even dogs that spend time in derived grasslands typically eat forest‐derived foods. Regardless of the time that dogs spend in cleared forest, their impacts are likely concentrated on forest‐dwelling prey. If dogs in forests mostly consume threatened endemic animals (and not other introduced animals such as rats), then the exclusion of dogs from protected forests should be a priority.Summary Introduced predators on islands can help control invasive species yet can also contribute to the extirpation and extinction of endemic taxa. The spread of dogs on Madagascar by ~1000 years ago coincided with the introduction of livestock and spread of grazer‐adapted grasslands, and we help evaluate the extent to which modern dogs are part of novel grassland food webs. To infer dog diet, we identified food remains, where possible, and conducted stable isotope ratio analysis for n = 100 modern dog feces collected in derived grassland at varying distances from protected forest edges around Analamazoatra and Andasibe‐Mantadia National Park in eastern Madagascar. Animal remains in feces and the observed range of fecal δ15N values are consistent with dog meals at multiple trophic levels. However, the observed distribution of fecal δ13C values suggest that few dogs in the study area consumed food derived from open C4 grasslands. Existing data suggest that dogs rely primarily on C3 consumers inhabiting forest biomes (forest‐dwelling animals) for their prey, which may include endemics such as tenrecs, Malagasy rodents, and lemurs and introduced rodents such as rats. These findings indicate that dogs are not confined to the anthropogenic niche defined by grazer‐adapted grasslands, but rather use and impact animal food resources associated with protected forests. Higher resolution study of dog diet and mobility can further clarify the potential for dogs to exploit endemic prey, compete with endemic predators, and spread disease across ecotones.

A comprehensive overview of emerging techniques and chemometrics for authenticity and traceability of animal-derived food

Authenticity and origin tracing of animal-derived food are particularly necessary due to various kinds of food fraud such as adulteration, counterfeiting, substitution and intentional mislabeling. This review focuses on the current research status of animal-derived food from the aspects of geographical origin, feeding ingredients and systems, adulteration of substitutes, and physical and chemical properties. The methods and statistical models involved in the research and their advantages and disadvantages are summarized. Stable isotope ratio analysis and element analysis are the most extensive used geographical traceability techniques. Spectroscopic techniques have the advantages of quick response, low cost and non-destructiveness. Instrument technology combined with chemometrics is the key method for origin traceability and authenticity of animal-derived food. In addition, there is a new trend of origin traceability by analyzing inedible parts of animal-derived food. This review intends to give a broad but comprehensive understanding in authenticity and geographical origin traceability of animal-derived food.

Traceability of insects as feed: stable isotope ratio analysis of Hermetia illucens larvae and pre-pupae reared on different protein sources

Insects attract the interest of the agri-food sector because of their advantages as feed for livestock. The reason for this lies in the role of insects as alternative protein source to soybean and fish meal, common but expensive materials, and in their ability to proliferate on waste substrates, thus allowing a sustainable livestock management. Insects for feed purposes can however be problematic, in particular with regard to the safety of the substrates the insects would be reared on. Therefore, effective tracking methods are needed. This study focused on the investigation, by means of isotope ratio mass spectrometry, of larvae and pre-pupae of Hermetia illucens L. (black soldier fly (BSF)) reared on diets including protein sources of vegetable origin (wheat gluten), animal origin (bovine blood meal), or a combination of the two, in order to detect differences in their isotope ratios for δ13C and δ15N. Nitrogen isotopic ratios did not follow an incremental pattern between diets, thus not allowing the discrimination of the BSF larvae and pre-pupae, presumably due to differences in the metabolism of insects that could have influenced the fractionation of nitrogen. In the case of the carbon isotopic ratio an increasing trend was observed, directly correlating the carbon isotopic signature of BSF larvae and pre-pupae to the level of replacement of the vegetable protein source with the animal one. According to our observations, it is therefore foreseeable that the study of carbon isotope ratios could be a promising method for the traceability of insects intended for animal feeding. Given the paucity of studies in this regard, further research effort is needed to fully explain some observation reported in the present study and to ascertain the reliability of the ratio analysis of insects as a tool for tracing their feeding history.

Archaeometric analysis of the ‘greco scritto’ marble slabs from the Edificio dei Triclinii at Murecine (Pompeii, Italy)

AbstractThis paper presents the results of the archaeometric analysis of the greco scritto marble slabs from the Edificio dei Triclinii, an inn or statio negotiatorum discovered at Murecine in Pompeii’s suburbs in 1999–2000. A total of 14 samples were collected and subjected to standard X‐ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy (OM) on thin sections and stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) to assess the stone’s identity and provenance. The results of this study substantiate the hypothesis (already put forward and based on a macroscopic identification by Perna and Scognamiglio) that the stone originates from the Hasançavuşlar quarries near Ephesus in Asia Minor, and represent the first step towards a systematic contextual and geochemical study of Ephesian greco scritto in Roman contexts and its respective contribution to the Roman stone trade.