Combining stable C, N, O, H, Sr isotope and multi-element with chemometrics for identifying the geographical origins and farming patterns of Huangjing herb.

[Display omitted] • Stable isotope and multi-element compositions of Huangjing was used for its origin traceability. • OPLS-DA significantly enhanced the traceability capability for Qingyang Huangjing products. • The discrimination accuracies of Qingyang (PGI products) were 100 % compared with other products. • Regional and farming patterns the correlations with eco-environment were discussed. • The strategy can be applied to combat mislabeling of PGI Huangjing products and ensure food safety. Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma) is a high-value homology of medicine and food in China, for which the geographical origins (i.e., geoherbalism) and farming patterns (natural or farmed) are decisive in its functions and selling price. In this study, five stable isotope ratios (δ 13C, δ 15N, δ 18O, δ 2H, and 87Sr/86Sr) and 48 multi-element signatures of 238 Huangjing samples collected from seven main production areas in China were analyzed together for origin traceability and farming authentication purposes. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) for each variable revealed that δ 18O, δ 2H, 87Sr/86Sr, Fe, and rare earth elements were significantly different among origins. The orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) modeling of all variables indicated that K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn were the most important variables (VIP > 1) for identifying Qingyang Huangjing protected geographical indication (PGI) from those of other origins, and discriminant accuracy reached 100 %. Moreover, ANOVA and OPLS-DA demonstrated that δ 15N, K, Ca, and Mg were the elements that effectively distinguished natural and farmed Huangjing. Therefore, the strategy may be an important alternative tool for authenticity management, which is significant for combating origin mislabeling and the fraudulent conducts of Huangjing products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]