Stable isotope composition of cocoa beans of different geographical origin

The isotopic profile (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ2H, δ34S) was used to characterise a wide selection of cocoa beans from different renowned production areas (Africa, Asia, Central and South America). The factors most influencing the isotopic signatures of cocoa beans were climate and altitude for δ13C and the isotopic composition of precipitation water for δ18O and δ2H, whereas δ15N and δ34S were primarily affected by geology and fertilisation practises. Multi-isotopic analysis was shown to be sufficiently effective in determining the geographical origin of cocoa beans, and combining it with Canonical Discriminant Analysis led to more than 80% of samples being correctly reclassified.