Traceability and authentication of cycas species through stable isotope analysis

• Main Author: Dimaandal, Kyrhen Angela B.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2019
• Subjects: Cycas; Species; Isotope dilution analysis; Radioisotopes; Cycads; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/3026
• Institution: De La Salle University

Cycads are considered as among the most threatened plant groups on earth. Proper identification of species and determination of the origin or source of the species can significantly help curb its illegal trade, one of the leading threats of the species. Stable isotopes are tools which have been used to determine traceability and authenticity of species. In this research, δ13C and δ15N isotope analyses were attempted to identify and analyze Cycas species from different origins. Leaf samples of the specimens were processed and analyzed through Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. Their isotope ratios were calculated, subjected to cluster analysis to determine utility in generating groupings with similar values based on species, origins, and habitats. T-tests for δ15N isotope ratios were further done to compare wild vs cultivated cycads. Results show that δ13C had overlapping values for different species, origin, and habitat, therefore cannot offer discriminatory values for these specifications. The same has been observed for δ15N. However, δ15N can give distinction between cultivated and wild habitat samples. Further investigation should be done to confirm the values produced by δ15N since they are affected by factors like type of soils and soils enriched with fertilizers, as in those in cultivation.