A study of stable isotope composition of chosen foodstuffs from the Polish market

In the present work the carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of food products bought in the retail trade in Warsaw is demonstrated. The research was carried out using meat (pork, chicken), hen eggs and honey. These products originated from the conventional and ecological farms. The values of the isotopic ratios are expressed as δ notation and correspond to the international standards (V-PDB for δ13C, and air for δ15N) according to the following general formula: δ(‰) = [(R sample / R standard) – 1] × 1000, where R represents the ratio between the less abundant and more abundant isotopes, in particular 13C/12C and 15N/14N. The results received in our laboratory, were compared with results presented in the literature for similar products. The results of the study show that the N and C stable isotope ratios in the tested products can be applied to verify their authenticity.