Application of DNA Barcodes to Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Many organisms are characterized by the analysis of DNA sequences, defined as DNA barcodes. These studies have improved the accuracy with which species can be identified, allowing scientists to gain a more in-depth understanding of evolutionary history. Several benefits ensue using DNA barcodes, as this methodology has been shown to be more accurate than morphological characteristics for the identification of plant species. Since the global market for medicinal plants is increasing rapidly, the need for proper identification of plant species used for consumption is a key issue to be addressed. Globally, substitutes or adulteration are major problems in the plant medicinal market including supplements. A single DNA barcode could identify a plant’s genus or species, depending which sequence is used. However, in plants, a single-locus approach could not be universally applied; and a i) two-locus, ii) multi-locus, or a iii) tiered approach should be developed to allow species identification and discrimination. In this chapter, a workflow of DNA barcode generation is indicated including DNA extraction and phylogenic analysis for any medicinal plant species to be characterized. The DNA barcodes recommended include the rbcL, matK, ITS1 and ITS2.