Authentic Aroma and Compound-Specific Isotope Ratios (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) Profiles of Vanilla Pods (<i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>)

Stable isotope ratio analysis of carbon (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C) and hydrogen (<i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) in vanillin has become a valuable tool for differentiating natural vanilla from synthetic or biosynthetic alternatives and for tracing its geographica...

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Main Authors: Long Chen, Purna Kumar Khatri, Mauro Paolini, Tiziana Nardin, Alberto Roncone, Roberto Larcher, Luca Ziller, Luana Bontempo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/4/825
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author Long Chen
Purna Kumar Khatri
Mauro Paolini
Tiziana Nardin
Alberto Roncone
Roberto Larcher
Luca Ziller
Luana Bontempo
author_facet Long Chen
Purna Kumar Khatri
Mauro Paolini
Tiziana Nardin
Alberto Roncone
Roberto Larcher
Luca Ziller
Luana Bontempo
author_sort Long Chen
collection DOAJ
description Stable isotope ratio analysis of carbon (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C) and hydrogen (<i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) in vanillin has become a valuable tool for differentiating natural vanilla from synthetic or biosynthetic alternatives and for tracing its geographical origins. However, increasingly sophisticated fraud techniques necessitate ongoing refinement of analytical methods to ensure accurate detection. This study advanced the field by investigating minor volatile organic compounds as potential biomarkers for identifying botanical and geographical origins of vanilla products. Vanilla pods from the two main vanilla species, <i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>, were investigated using GC-MS/MS to analyze their aromatic profile and GC-C/Py-IRMS to determine compound-specific isotope ratios, providing, for the first time, detailed and authentic isotopic and aromatic profiles. Additionally, the potential natural presence of ethyl vanillin and its corresponding glucoside precursors—molecules commonly used as synthetic vanilla-scented fragrance agents in various foods and industrial products—was explored using UHPLC-HRMS. These findings contribute to robust methods for verifying vanilla authenticity, addressing flavor complexity and isotopic composition, and enhancing the detection of adulteration in vanilla-flavored products.
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spelling doaj-art-7180fdfa7ef249d593c4d7bab9113c6e2025-08-20T02:04:06ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-02-0130482510.3390/molecules30040825Authentic Aroma and Compound-Specific Isotope Ratios (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) Profiles of Vanilla Pods (<i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>)Long Chen0Purna Kumar Khatri1Mauro Paolini2Tiziana Nardin3Alberto Roncone4Roberto Larcher5Luca Ziller6Luana Bontempo7Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, ItalyDepartment of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, 4200 Slagelse, DenmarkFondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, ItalyFondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, ItalyFondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, ItalyFondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, ItalyFondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, ItalyFondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, ItalyStable isotope ratio analysis of carbon (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C) and hydrogen (<i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) in vanillin has become a valuable tool for differentiating natural vanilla from synthetic or biosynthetic alternatives and for tracing its geographical origins. However, increasingly sophisticated fraud techniques necessitate ongoing refinement of analytical methods to ensure accurate detection. This study advanced the field by investigating minor volatile organic compounds as potential biomarkers for identifying botanical and geographical origins of vanilla products. Vanilla pods from the two main vanilla species, <i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>, were investigated using GC-MS/MS to analyze their aromatic profile and GC-C/Py-IRMS to determine compound-specific isotope ratios, providing, for the first time, detailed and authentic isotopic and aromatic profiles. Additionally, the potential natural presence of ethyl vanillin and its corresponding glucoside precursors—molecules commonly used as synthetic vanilla-scented fragrance agents in various foods and industrial products—was explored using UHPLC-HRMS. These findings contribute to robust methods for verifying vanilla authenticity, addressing flavor complexity and isotopic composition, and enhancing the detection of adulteration in vanilla-flavored products.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/4/825vanillinethyl vanillinvolatile compoundsGC-MS/MSGC-C/Py-IRMS
spellingShingle Long Chen
Purna Kumar Khatri
Mauro Paolini
Tiziana Nardin
Alberto Roncone
Roberto Larcher
Luca Ziller
Luana Bontempo
Authentic Aroma and Compound-Specific Isotope Ratios (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) Profiles of Vanilla Pods (<i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>)
Molecules
vanillin
ethyl vanillin
volatile compounds
GC-MS/MS
GC-C/Py-IRMS
title Authentic Aroma and Compound-Specific Isotope Ratios (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) Profiles of Vanilla Pods (<i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>)
title_full Authentic Aroma and Compound-Specific Isotope Ratios (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) Profiles of Vanilla Pods (<i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>)
title_fullStr Authentic Aroma and Compound-Specific Isotope Ratios (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) Profiles of Vanilla Pods (<i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>)
title_full_unstemmed Authentic Aroma and Compound-Specific Isotope Ratios (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) Profiles of Vanilla Pods (<i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>)
title_short Authentic Aroma and Compound-Specific Isotope Ratios (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>2</sup>H) Profiles of Vanilla Pods (<i>V. planifolia</i> and <i>V. tahitensis</i>)
title_sort authentic aroma and compound specific isotope ratios i δ i sup 13 sup c i δ i sup 2 sup h profiles of vanilla pods i v planifolia i and i v tahitensis i
topic vanillin
ethyl vanillin
volatile compounds
GC-MS/MS
GC-C/Py-IRMS
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/4/825
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