Enhancing Testing Laboratory Engagement in Plant DNA Barcoding through a Routine Workflow-A Case Study on Chinese...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacognosy
• Molecular Biology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• DNA standards are increasingly used in pharmacopoeias for herbal material identification.
• Lack of established quality requirements for DNA barcoding laboratories hinders its routine application.
• Morphological similarities among certain Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) necessitate reliable identification methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a practical workflow and quality control plan for DNA barcoding of herbal materials.
• To address the challenge of differentiating morphologically similar CMM.
• To ensure the traceability and validity of DNA barcoding test results in a laboratory setting.

Main Methods:

• Development of a practical workflow for DNA barcoding, including analytical run components.
• Implementation of a comprehensive quality control plan.
• Application of the ITS2 barcode for differentiating four specific CMM: Herba Potentillae Chinensis, Herba Potentillae Discoloris, Radix Pulsatillae, and Radix Arnebiae.

Main Results:

• The ITS2 barcode successfully differentiated the four selected CMM.
• The proposed quality control plan provided data for measurement traceability and test result validity.
• The workflow demonstrated practical applicability for routine laboratory services.

Conclusions:

• A standardized workflow and quality control plan are crucial for routine DNA barcoding of herbal materials.
• DNA barcoding, specifically ITS2, is effective for identifying morphologically similar CMM.
• This approach enhances the reliability and acceptance of DNA barcoding in pharmacopoeial applications.