Project description

In the area of origin determination, the development of the relevant laboratory equipment and analytical expertise to ensure the traceability of certain foods (from stable to table) has been considered expedient. In future, origin analysis should be a valuable indicator for official controls.

As part of the Fit4Reference project, a strategy for the creation of a reference database for the analytical control of products of Austrian origin is to be developed. In addition, the results of different analytical methods will be linked in order to test an increase in informative value. The database design should offer the possibility of using or exchanging existing data with the help of an interface (e.g. with the National Reference Centre for Authentic Food in Germany).

The project objectives are to be developed on the basis of data for apples, apricots and honey, which will be collected over two years in selected areas.

Interim results

In the first year of the project, it was already possible to take samples on the basis of a sampling guideline, determine the processing method and carry out measurements using NMR, ICP-MS and IRMS. Once the new NMR and IRMS measurement methods had been established, the analytical procedures were validated for routine analyses.

The basic foundations for the database structure were created. Separate processes were defined and created for importing the analysis data.

For the chemometric classification model, initial processes were started with sample data, various models were tested and a concrete plan for the further procedure was drawn up.

Benefits of the project

The aim of the project is to develop standardised principles for the systematic development of reference databases for test results from different measurement methods in order to establish valid databases for verifying the Austrian origin in the next step.

The project comprises the following sub-goals:

• Development of standardised principles for sampling, transport, storage, sample preparation and metadata for reference samples
• Feasibility and concept development for the procurement of reference samples with the best possible utilisation of synergies in the control system
• Development of a database structure for the following analysis methods: IRMS, NMR and ICP-MS and the following product groups: Apple, apricot, honey
• Chemometric evaluation of results from different analytical methods for origin validation, taking classification uncertainty into account