Identification of botanicals using molecular biotechnology

Area of Science:

• Pharmacognosy
• Molecular Biology
• Ethnobotany

Background:

• Global natural botanical market is growing, driven by herbal medicine trade.
• Approximately 72-80% of individuals rely on traditional medical care, often using medicinal plants.
• Medicinal plants lack the strict quality control applied to conventional drugs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review molecular biotechnology approaches for identifying botanical species.
• To highlight the importance of accurate plant identification for safety and efficacy.
• To address the need for standardized methods in the herbal medicine industry.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of various molecular biotechnology techniques.
• Review of methods for phytochemical and molecular identification.
• Analysis of tools for ensuring botanical authenticity.

Main Results:

• Molecular biotechnology provides reliable and accurate botanical identification.
• These methods are essential for quality control of herbal products.
• Standardized identification ensures the safe use of traditional and novel plant-based medicines.

Conclusions:

• Molecular biotechnology is key to verifying medicinal plant identity and quality.
• Accurate identification supports the integration of herbal medicines into modern healthcare.
• Development and application of molecular tools are vital for the safety and efficacy of plant-derived therapeutics.