Identifikace země původu jablek pomocí chemických analýz [Identification of the country of origin for apples using chemical analysis]

Abstract

Apples have long been the most important fruit commodity in the Czech Republic, but their domestic production is threatened by imports of cheaper foreign apples. However, taking into account the fact that consumers often prefer domestic products and are willing to pay extra for them, incorrect labelling of the country of origin (socalled "false geographicality") is an unavoidable risk. From an analytical point of view, however, the control of geographical origin is a difficult task and the procedures published so far have their limitations. The aim of this pilot study was to verify the potential of a new, as yet untested strategy for detecting apples with incorrectly stated geographical origin. Non-target analysis of the epicuticular layer of fruits was performed using the UHPLC-HRMS/MS technique. Obtained data ("chemical fingerprints") were analysed using advanced statistical methods. The results showed significant differences in the spectrum of epicuticular waxes of different apple cultivars and indicated the need to process a larger set of exactly characterized fruits, which will allow the construction of a diagnostic model to determine geographical origin.

Keywords

• malus sp.
• epicuticular waxes
• chemical fingerprints
• origin
• fruits