Evaluation of the Strontium Isotope Ratios in Soil–Plant–Fruit: A Comprehensive Study on Vignola Cherry (Ciliegia di Vignola PGI)

This study investigates the potential of strontium isotopes as a geographical tracer for Vignola cherries. Despite several studies having employed this indicator to trace the origin of food products, the mechanisms underlying the fractionation and translocation of strontium from soil to edible parts...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lisa Lancellotti, Veronica D’Eusanio, Daniela Manzini, Caterina Durante, Andrea Marchetti, Lorenzo Tassi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1492
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Summary:This study investigates the potential of strontium isotopes as a geographical tracer for Vignola cherries. Despite several studies having employed this indicator to trace the origin of food products, the mechanisms underlying the fractionation and translocation of strontium from soil to edible parts remain poorly understood. In this study, the <sup>91</sup>Zr/<sup>90</sup>Zr ratio was used as a normalization pair to correct measurements of <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr and <sup>88</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr (δ<sup>88</sup>Sr). Soil, cherry branches, and fruit samples were collected from various producers and locations. Isotopic analyses were carried out using a double-focusing multi-collector–inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometer (MC-ICP/MS). External correction was applied using the <sup>91</sup>Zr/<sup>90</sup>Zr ratio, assuming both equal and different fractionation factors for Sr and Zr isotopes. Results from both correction models showed improved accuracy by accounting for fluctuations in instrumental mass bias. Regarding the translocation of strontium, the data indicate an increase in <sup>88</sup>Sr of approximately 0.2‰ from soil to plant tissue. This trend was consistent across all sampled locations.
ISSN:2304-8158