This study aimed at quantifying the ratio of the carbon sources C3 (orange juice) and C4 (cane sugar) in orange-based commercial beverages. Orange beverages of 33 different trademarks were isotopically analyzed. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) was used to determine the carbon isotopic composition (δ13C). The equations used to quantify the source of carbon C3 and C4 presented correction factors based on the concentration of total reducing sugars in relation to soluble solids. The insoluble solids (pulp) were used as internal isotopic standard for the orange juice employed in commercial beverage. The isotope analysis of commercial beverages showed four adulterations: one sample of whole orange juice, one of concentrate juice, and two of sweetened orange juice. For samples with the absence of pulp, we adopted the isotopic value of δ13C -26.19‰ as standard C3 source, by compiling a database of 31 samples of pure orange juice from 12 producing regions of the state of São Paulo. In these beverages (energetic beverage, mixed beverage and "citric fruit"), the isotopic value of 13C was similar to sugar cane (δ13C -12.48‰) showing few fruit juice in its formulation.
Juice; nectar; stable isotopes; adulteration; fraud
