Geographical and Species Differentiation of Truffles (Tuber spp.) by Means of Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis of Light Elements (H, C, and N)

Truffles (Tuber spp.) are considered the most expensive edible fungi and, therefore, are highly prone to food fraud. In this study, authentic truffles from different countries of origin and species were characterized by the determination of their stable carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen isotope ratios (bulk delta H-2, delta C-13, and delta N-15 values). Chinese truffles from Yunnan or related provinces ( n = 19) could be well-separated from all European samples (eight countries; n = 105) by means of their significantly (p < 0.05) more negative delta H-2 values. Furthermore, samples of the second most expensive European species Tuber magnatum were both more enriched in N-15 and more depleted in C-13 compared to the remaining samples, which allowed for an unequivocal differentiation. Hence, stable isotope ratio analysis could be of high value in terms of authentication of truffles.