Application of isotopic and elemental fingerprints in identifying the geographical origin of goat milk in China

Abstract

In the study, the samples of goat milk, feed, soil and drinking water were firstly collected from nine farms of three provinces in China, the stable isotopic ratios (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ²H and δ¹⁸O) in casein, lipid of milk, feed, and drinking water and the contents of 11 elements in milk and soil were determined. Statistical analysis indicated that except the content of Zn, other variables in milk showed significant differences among two or three regions. Significant correlations were found for δ¹³C between casein and lipid (r = 0.953, P < 0.05) and for δ²H between casein and milk water (r = 0.816, P < 0.05). The δ²H and δ¹⁸O in casein and milk water were identical to that in corresponding drinking water. Finally, seven key variables (δ¹⁵N_casein, δ¹⁸O_casein, Ni, Se, Rb, Sr and Ba) were selected by stepwise canonical discriminant analysis and the correct classification rate reached 100%.

Keywords: Geographical origin; Goat milk; Multi-elements; Stable isotope.