Stable isotopes as a predictor for organic or conventional classification of berries and vegetables

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 20; no. 3; p. e0318179
• Main Authors: Zhu-Barker, Xia, Liou, Michael, Zapata, Diana, Huang, Jingyi, Horwath, William R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 12.03.2025; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Agriculture; Berries; Biology and Life Sciences; Carbon; Carbon 13; Carbon content; Carbon Isotopes - analysis; Carbon/nitrogen ratio; Chemical properties; Classification; Crops; Crops, Agricultural - chemistry; Crops, Agricultural - classification; Farming; Fertilizers; Food; Food quality; Fruit - chemistry; Fruit - classification; Hypothesis testing; Identification and classification; Isotopes; Nitrates; Nitrogen; Nitrogen Isotopes - analysis; Organic Agriculture - methods; Organic farming; Organic fertilizers; People and places; Physical Sciences; Stable isotopes; Statistical models; Vegetables; Vegetables - chemistry; Vegetables - classification; United States; United States > US; Mexico; California

Organic agriculture is expanding worldwide, driven by expectations of improving food quality and soil health. However, while organic certification by regulatory bodies such as the United States Department of Agriculture and the European Union confirms compliance with organic standards that prohibit...