Measurement of stable isotope abundances in milk and milk ingredients — a possible tool for origin assignment and quality control

Abstract

 Relative carbon and nitrogen stable isotope abundances in total milk reflect the isotopic composition of the diet fed to the dairy cows; this diet and its δ-values depend on geographical and climatic factors. Milk from regions dominated by grassland typically shows relatively negative δ¹³C-values, while in regions dominated by crop cultivation the δ¹³C-values are more positive. The δ¹⁵N-values are influenced by factors such as soil conditions, the intensity of agricultural use and the climate. Casein in authentic milk samples is enriched in both ¹³C and ¹⁵N as compared to total milk, while the whey fraction is slightly enriched in ¹³C and depleted of ¹⁵N. The isotopic content of milk, casein and whey from one location have been measured throughout a period of longer than 1 year; variations are usually not greater than 1‰. In milk water, the ¹⁸O content was increased by between 2 and 6‰ as compared to ground water.