Isotopes as tracers of the Hawaiian coffee-producing regions

J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Sep 28;59(18):10239-46. doi: 10.1021/jf200788p. Epub 2011 Aug 24.

Abstract

Green coffee bean isotopes have been used to trace the effects of different climatic and geological characteristics associated with the Hawaii islands. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ((MC)-ICP-SFMS and ICP-QMS) were applied to determine the isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), sulfur (δ34S), and oxygen (δ18O), the isotope abundance of strontium (87Sr/86Sr), and the concentrations of 30 different elements in 47 green coffees. The coffees were produced in five Hawaii regions: Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. Results indicate that coffee plant seed isotopes reflect interactions between the coffee plant and the local environment. Accordingly, the obtained analytical fingerprinting could be used to discriminate between the different Hawaii regions studied.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Isotopes / analysis
  • Coffea / classification*
  • Coffea / growth & development*
  • Environment*
  • Hawaii
  • Isotopes / analysis*
  • Nitrogen Isotopes / analysis
  • Oxygen Isotopes / analysis
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Seeds / classification*
  • Strontium Isotopes / analysis
  • Sulfur Isotopes / analysis

Substances

  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Isotopes
  • Nitrogen Isotopes
  • Oxygen Isotopes
  • Strontium Isotopes
  • Sulfur Isotopes