Application of multiple stable isotopes to aid identification of the origin of regional and organic animal products in Hesse, Germany.

There is an increasing global demand for regional and organic produce. However, the growth of these markets depends on consumers' trust. Thus, novel methods must be developed to aid the verification of the origin of produce. We built on our previous study to identify the geographical origin and production method of animal-derived food products. Thirty-samples of eggs, 99 of milk, 34 of beef, and 62 of pork were collected from different regions in central Germany and analysed for their stable isotopic composition. The analysis followed a single-variate authentification approach using five isotope signatures, δ18O, δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S. The best-performing indicators for verification of the geographical origin were δ15N and δ34S for beef; δ18O, δ2H, and δ13C for milk, and δ2H and δ13C for pork. These tracers indicated statistically significant differences among regions with the exception of pork; the results recorded for eggs were inconclusive. It was possible to distinguish between production methods by means of δ15N and δ34S (beef); all five tracers (eggs), and δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S (milk). This study demonstrated how the analysis of stable isotopes can be employed to determine the geographic region of origin and production method of animal-derived products in Germany.

[Comparison of the efficiency of inhalation and injection anaesthesia for the castration of male suckling piglets in different organic farms]. / Effizienzvergleich von Inhalations- und Injektionsnarkose zur Kastration männlicher Saugferkel auf unterschiedlichen, ökologisch arbeitenden Praxisbetrieben.

OBJECTIVE: In Germany, injection and inhalation anesthesia with the addition of an analgesic drug are an interim solution to surgical castration under general anesthesia due to the ban on non-anesthetic castration of male suckling piglets under 8 days of age. However, the efficiency of both anesthetic procedures is submit to controversial discussion. Most of the studies addressing this question only examined one of the procedures in comparison to piglets castrated without anesthesia or uncastrated controls. Comparisons between the anesthesia methods, especially under conditions of organically working farms, are almost completely lacking. The aim of the present study was therefore to compare the efficacy of injection and inhalation anesthesia under practical conditions in 7 organic farms as well as to examine the effect of metamizole administered in addition to meloxicam. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this purpose, 514 male suckling piglets were examined with regard to anesthesia efficiency (reflex test, defence behaviour), body temperature, post-operative bleeding and wound healing, post-operative behavior and pain behavior as well as the course of the recovery phase. RESULTS: The results show a basic superiority of inhalation anesthesia over injection anesthesia, especially in the areas of anesthetic efficacy, thermoregulation and duration of the recovery phase. In 7.7 to 15 % of piglets, the perianal and interclaw reflexes studied were still present at the time of castration. Following injection and inhalation anesthesia, in total 83.6 (25.2 %) of the piglets showed at least one of the following criteria: positive reflex response, clear defensive movements or vocalisations. Body temperature dropped by 0.41 °C under inhalation anesthesia and by 1.82 °C under injection anesthesia. Post-castration bleeding and wound healing were hardly influenced by the type of anesthesia. Almost all piglets showed signs of pain and pain-associated behavior for 5 and 72 hours after castration, regardless of the type of anesthesia. The post-castration recovery phases lasted significantly longer after injection anesthesia (107 minutes) than following inhalation anesthesia (33.3 minutes) until the piglets were returned to the sow. CONCLUSION: Neither injection nor inhalation anesthesia in spite of additional administration of meloxicam, nor the supplementary use of metamizole, fulfil the EU requirements for painless castration. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The necessary analgesia during and after castration of male suckling piglets is not achieved under either isoflurane or ketamine/azaperone anesthesia, despite the use of meloxicam and metamizole.

Assessment of multiple stable isotopes for tracking regional and organic authenticity of plant products in Hesse, Germany.

As demand for regional and organically produced foodstuff has increased in Europe, the need has arisen to verify the products' origin and production method. For food authenticity tracking (production method and origin), we examined 286 samples of wheat (Triticum aestivum), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), and apples (Malus domestica) from different regions in Germany for their stable isotope compositions of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and sulphur. Single-variate authentication methods were used. Suitable isotope tracers to determine wheat's regional origin were δ18O and δ34S. δ13C helped to distinguish between organic and conventional wheat samples. For the separation of the production regions of potatoes, several isotope tracers were suitable (e.g. δ18O, δ2H, δ15N, δ13C and δ34S isotopes in potato protein), but only protein δ15N was suitable to differentiate between organic and conventional potato samples. For the apple samples, 2H and 18O isotopes helped to identify production regions, but no significant statistical differences could be found between organically and conventionally farmed apples. For food authenticity tracking, our study showed the need to take the various isotopes into account. There is an urgent need for a broad reference database if isotope measurements are to become a main tool for determining product's origin.