Fertilizer type affects stable isotope ratios of nitrogen in human blood plasma - results from two-year controlled agricultural field trials and a randomized crossover dietary intervention study

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The stable nitrogen isotope ratio δ15N is used as a marker of dietary protein sources in blood. Crop fertilization strategies affect δ15N in plant foods. In a double-blinded randomized cross-over dietary intervention trial with 33 participants, we quantified the effect of fertilizer type (conventional: synthetic fertilizer and organic: animal or green manure) on δ15N in blood plasma. At study baseline, plasma δ15N was +9.34 ± 0.29‰ (mean ± standard deviation). After 12 days intervention with a diet based on crops fertilized with animal manure, plasma δ15N was shifted by +0.27 ± 0.04‰ (mean ± standard error) compared to synthetic fertilization and by +0.22 ± 0.04‰ compared to fertilization with green manure (both p < 0.0001). Accordingly, differences in the δ15N values between fertilizers are propagated to the blood plasma of human consumers. The results indicate a need to consider agricultural practices when using δ15N as a dietary biomarker.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume70
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)3391-3399
Number of pages9
ISSN0021-8561
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

    Research areas

  • Faculty of Science - Dietary protein, Fertilizer type, Organic food, Production systems, Stable nitrogen isotopes

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