Ginseng authenticity testing by measuring carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope compositions that differ based on cultivation land and organic fertilizer type

BACKGROUND: The natural ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) stable isotopes can be varied in some specific living organisms owing to various isotopic fractionation processes in nature. Therefore, the analysis of C, N, and S stable isotope ratios in ginseng can provide a feasible method for determining ginseng authenticity depending on the cultivation land and type of fertilizer. METHODS: C, N, and S stable isotope composition in 6-yr-old ginseng roots (Jagyeongjong variety) was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The type of cultivation land and organic fertilizers affected the C, N, and S stable isotope ratio in ginseng (p < 0.05). The δ(15)N(AIR) and δ(34)S(VCDT) values in ginseng roots more significantly discriminated the cultivation land and type of organic fertilizers in ginseng cultivation than the δ(13)C(VPDB) value. The combination of δ(13)C(VPDB), δ(15)N(AIR), or δ(34)S(VCDT) in ginseng, except the combination δ(13)C(VPDB)–(34)S(VCDT,) showed a better discrimination depending on soil type or fertilizer type. CONCLUSION: This case study provides preliminary results about the variation of C, N, and S isotope composition in ginseng according to the cultivation soil type and organic fertilizer type. Hence, our findings are potentially applicable to evaluate ginseng authenticity depending on cultivation conditions.