Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Papaver based on ITS2 barcoding

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Molecular Biology
• Botany

Background:

• Accurate species identification of Papaver somniferum is critical in forensic investigations.
• Distinguishing P. somniferum from closely related species and adulterants within the Papaver genus is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a DNA barcoding method for the precise identification of Papaver somniferum.
• To differentiate P. somniferum from five other closely related Papaver species using molecular markers.

Main Methods:

• Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region for six Papaver species.
• Analysis of sequence similarity using BLAST and calculation of genetic distances (Kimura-2-parameter).
• Construction of a phylogenetic tree and analysis of ITS2 secondary structures.

Main Results:

• The ITS2 sequences of P. somniferum showed the smallest genetic distance among its own variants.
• Phylogenetic analysis clearly separated P. somniferum into an independent cluster.
• Significant differences in ITS2 secondary structures were observed between P. somniferum/P. rhoeas and other species.

Conclusions:

• Internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) serves as an effective DNA barcode for distinguishing Papaver somniferum.
• This molecular approach provides reliable identification for forensic cases involving suspected P. somniferum.