Correlation of Geographical Location with Stable Isotope Values of Hydrogen and Carbon of Fatty Acids from New Zealand Milk and Bulk Milk Powder

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2013-09, Vol.61 (37), p.8914-8923
• Main Authors: Ehtesham, Emad, Hayman, Alan R, McComb, Kiri A, Van Hale, Robert, Frew, Russell D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; biomarkers; bulk milk; carbon; Carbon Isotopes - chemistry; Cattle; Deuterium - analysis; discriminant analysis; dried milk; fatty acids; Fatty Acids - analysis; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Geography; hydrogen; islands; Methods of analysis, processing and quality control, regulation, standards; milk; Milk - chemistry; Milk and cheese industries. Ice creams; New Zealand; powders; Powders - chemistry; principal component analysis; stable isotopes
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/jf4024883

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of δ2H and δ13C of bulk milk powder and milk powder fatty acids to their production region. A total of 46 milk powder samples from across New Zealand were collected and analyzed. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the δ2H and δ13C of four fatty acids (C4:0, C14:0, C16:0, C18:1) and bulk milk powder were found to be correlated with regional production area. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models were prepared using different combinations of bulk and fatty acid δ2H and δ13C. All models were effective in discriminating samples from the North and South Islands. The LDA model using just fatty acid δ2H and δ13C provided the best separation. Therefore, the isotopic composition of the aforementioned fatty acids can be utilized as a good biomarker in milk powder that conveys reliable isotopic information to track milk powders to their regional origin.