Research article
Ginseng authenticity testing by measuring carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope compositions that differ based on cultivation land and organic fertilizer type

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2016.03.004Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background

The natural ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) stable isotopes can be varied in some specific living organisms owing to various isotopic fractionation processes in nature. Therefore, the analysis of C, N, and S stable isotope ratios in ginseng can provide a feasible method for determining ginseng authenticity depending on the cultivation land and type of fertilizer.

Methods

C, N, and S stable isotope composition in 6-yr-old ginseng roots (Jagyeongjong variety) was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Results

The type of cultivation land and organic fertilizers affected the C, N, and S stable isotope ratio in ginseng (p < 0.05). The δ15NAIR and δ34SVCDT values in ginseng roots more significantly discriminated the cultivation land and type of organic fertilizers in ginseng cultivation than the δ13CVPDB value. The combination of δ13CVPDB, δ15NAIR, or δ34SVCDT in ginseng, except the combination δ13CVPDB34SVCDT, showed a better discrimination depending on soil type or fertilizer type.

Conclusion

This case study provides preliminary results about the variation of C, N, and S isotope composition in ginseng according to the cultivation soil type and organic fertilizer type. Hence, our findings are potentially applicable to evaluate ginseng authenticity depending on cultivation conditions.

Keywords

cultivation land
ginseng authenticity
isotope ratio mass spectrometry
organic fertilizer
Panax ginseng

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