Stable Isotope Ratios (H, C, O) of Honey Samples from Different Regions of Russia

The results of analysis of the hydrogen, oxygen and carbon stable isotope ratios of honey samples taken in Russian regions with different climatic characteristics are presented. The values of isotope compositions in all studied honey samples vary from -29.5 to -24.2 parts per thousand for carbon, from -116.6 to -34.5 parts per thousand for hydrogen, and from +12.7 to +25.7 parts per thousand for oxygen. It was shown that the values of the isotope compositions of carbon (delta C-13), hydrogen (delta H-2), and oxygen (delta(18)circle) in honey can be used to determine the geographical origin of honey. It was found that the average delta H-2 and delta(18)circle values in honey to a large extent correlate with the average delta H-2 and delta(18)circle values of atmospheric precipitation in the regions of honey origin. The isotope composition of carbon is affected by climate. Three zones of isotopic landscape for the regions of Russia were identified: the lowest delta C-13, delta H-2, and delta(18)circle values are characteristic of Siberian honey samples, intermediate values corresponded to honey samples from the European part of Russia, and the highest values were recorded for honey samples from the Black Sea region.

Automated summary

The study presents the analysis of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon stable isotope ratios in honey samples from different climatic regions in Russia. The results show that the isotope compositions of honey can be used to determine its geographical origin and are correlated with the isotope compositions of atmospheric precipitation in the region.