Molecular identification of timber species from sawn timber and roundwood

Abstract

Illegal and unsustainable logging of forests have contributed to deforestation and a massive loss of biodiversity, and despite the efforts to regulate the trade of plants and combat the commercialization of illegal logging, the problem continues. DNA analysis of plant tissues is an effective method in species identification, and it is important to dedicate efforts to obtain and amplify DNA from dry wood or exposed to a sawmill process in which its origin is not clear. The aim of this research was to present a strategy to identify tree species from sawn timber and roundwood, based on the use of molecular identification tools. Wood samples of standing trees of Pinus pseudostrobus (PFCap1), round core samples (Ro) and plank wood (SaT) of Pinus pseudostrobus and Pinus devoniana were used. All the samples underwent a DNA extraction protocol, amplification, sequencing, and analysis in the NCBI database. The results showed an efficient extraction of the genetic material, revealing high purity ratios ​​for the three sample groups (PFCap1, Ro and SaT) and quantitative data of the amplified DNA. The information obtained through sequencing showed identities of up to 100% homology (NCBI database). We can conclude that the standardized method developed was successful using the trnL and trnLF primers, managing to isolate, amplify, and sequence the DNA from sawn timber and roundwood, and to identify the age of the tree and the time elapsed between the felling of the tree and the sampling, which are directly related to the success of this method.