The use of nitrogen stable isotope ratios to discriminate between organic and conventional olive cultivation

Abstract

Several studies have been conducted for the authentication of food products and the discrimination between conventional and organic vegetables from different geographical locations, but, the lack of information on the authenticity of olives according to the cultivation and fertilizer type makes its market sensitive to attempted frauds. In the present work, the difference and variation of nitrogen stable isotope ratios have been measured to assess olives authenticity with respect to cultivation practices. The results reported from this case study can be potentially applicable to discriminate between the use of natural organic or synthetic fertilizers in olive orchards.