Mit Massenspektrometrie gegen Lebensmittelbetrug: Das Geheimnis liegt in den Isotopen

Abstract

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is an established method for verifying the authenticity and determining the origin of food. Product-specific signatures can be identified by high-precision measurement of natural isotope ratios, particularly of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen. Researchers use these isotope fingerprints to draw conclusions about the geographical and production-related origin of food. IRMS is used, among other things, to detect adulteration such as added sugar in honey, to differentiate between production systems, and to analyze origin.