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Updated: May 9, 2026
Application of DNA Barcoding to Identify Medicinal Plants
Published on: November 1, 2024
DNA barcoding the commercial Chinese caterpillar fungus
Li Xiang1, Jingyuan Song, Tianyi Xin
1National Engineering Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
DNA barcoding using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences accurately identifies Chinese caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis). This method distinguishes the authentic fungus from counterfeits, ensuring its safe medicinal use.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacognosy
- Molecular Biology
- Mycology
Background:
- Chinese caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is a valuable traditional tonic with high market value.
- Counterfeit O. sinensis products are prevalent, posing risks due to difficult morphological differentiation.
- Ensuring the authenticity and safety of O. sinensis is crucial for its medicinal application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and assess a DNA barcoding method for accurate identification of O. sinensis.
- To differentiate authentic O. sinensis from its common counterfeits and closely related species.
- To validate the efficacy of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences as a DNA barcode.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences from 131 O. sinensis samples and 12 other species.
- Utilizing DNA barcoding with Basic Local Alignment Search Tool 1 (BLAST 1) and nearest distance methods.
- Employing phylogenetic analyses including maximum parsimony, neighbor-joining, and maximum likelihood.
Main Results:
- Significant ITS sequence variations ('barcode gaps') were identified, enabling clear differentiation.
- 100% accuracy in species and genus-level identification of O. sinensis and counterfeits was achieved.
- Phylogenetic methods successfully distinguished O. sinensis from related and counterfeit species.
Conclusions:
- DNA barcoding using ITS sequences provides a rapid and accurate method for O. sinensis authentication.
- This molecular approach is effective in combating the issue of counterfeit traditional medicines.
- The findings support the use of DNA barcoding to ensure the safety and efficacy of O. sinensis in Asian medicine.
