Molecular identification of oriental medicinal plant Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge ('Jimo') by multiplex PCR

Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Jimo) is one of the most popular and valuable plant species in many countries, including China, Korea, and Japan. The current commercial products such as Sagan, Chog-chag-yag, and Shig-ban-pung which are most similar to Jimo roots, were used for more reliable authentication method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the trnL-F region has been proved to be an appropriate method for the identification of species in the A. asphodeloides genus. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been identified in Jimo, Sagan, Chog-chag-yag, and Shig-ban-pung. The specific PCR primers were designed from the SNP to differentiate the A. asphodeloides (Jimo) from Sagan, Chog-chag-yag, and Shig-ban-pung via multiplex PCR. The established multiplex-PCR method for the rapid detection of the Jimo in a single reaction was determined to be effective for the differentiation of Jimo (A. asphodeloides). We therefore present an effective method for the genetic identification of the A. asphodeloides.