Seasonal Variation in Stable Isotope Ratios of Cow Milk in Vilnius Region, Lithuania

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The composition of milk is fundamentally dependent on the feeding of the cows, and thereby on a particular environment. However, stable isotope composition is not always constant in the environment and can even change in the same area. Thus, the aim of this study was to better understand the impact of water and food sources on oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen stable isotope ratio ((18)O/(16)O, (13)C/(12)C, and (15)N/(14)N) distribution and fractionation in cow milk in different seasons of the year. Cow milk, drinking water, feed, and precipitation water were collected for three years from the same location. Overall, combined δ(18)O, δ(13)C, and δ(15)N analysis of cow milk provides valuable information about the amount of variation in stable isotope ratios in natural samples. This study can be helpful for studies of milk product authentication. ABSTRACT: Various studies have shown that stable isotope analysis has the potential to verify the geographic origin of foods and drinks. However, stable isotope composition is not always constant in the environment and can even change in the same area. Dairy products are of particular interest as a group of foods that play an important role in feeding the population. The composition of milk is fundamentally dependent on the feeding of the cows, and thereby on a particular environment. To better understand the amount of variation in δ(18)O, δ(13)C, and δ(15)N values in the milk from the same area, we measured stable isotope ratios in cow milk water, artesian water, and precipitation (δ(18)O) as well as in bulk milk samples (δ(13)C and δ(15)N) collected in 2014–2016. Different water and food sources were available during the winter (artesian water only and dry grass) and summer (artesian water and fresh grass), and spring and autumn seasons reflected transitional periods. Oxygen stable isotope ratios in milk water were relatively lower in winter and transitional seasons and higher in summer, showing the dependence on the main water source. δ(13)C values reflected particular food sources. This study shows the applicability of the stable isotope ratio method in linking cow milk to specific environments and reveals the amount of variation in stable isotope ratios in the same area. These results could be valuable for other studies on geographical origin determination of dairy products.