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Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis
Published on: May 10, 2020
Fertilizer Type Affects Stable Isotope Ratios of Nitrogen in Human Blood Plasma─Results from Two-Year Controlled
Axel Mie1,2, Vlastimil Novak3, Mikael Andersson Franko1
1Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 11883, Sweden.
Abstract:
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.
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