Deoxyribonucleic Acid Barcoding for the Identification of Botanicals

Area of Science:

• Botany and Molecular Biology
• Pharmacognosy
• Food Science and Technology

Background:

• The natural herbal products industry relies on botanicals for manufacturing herbal products and dietary supplements.
• Increased consumer demand for natural products has unfortunately led to widespread adulteration and counterfeiting of herbal goods.
• Ensuring the authenticity and quality of botanical raw materials is a significant challenge for the industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and present current molecular methodologies for the identification of botanical raw materials.
• To highlight the evolution of molecular techniques from basic methods to advanced high-throughput sequencing.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of tools available for combating adulteration in the herbal products sector.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of DNA-based molecular identification techniques.
• Discussion of single genomic region analysis (e.g., DNA barcoding).
• Overview of high-throughput sequencing approaches, including whole genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis.

Main Results:

• Molecular methods offer reliable and precise identification of botanical species.
• High-throughput sequencing provides comprehensive genetic information for robust authentication.
• These techniques are effective in detecting adulterants and confirming the origin of herbal materials.

Conclusions:

• Molecular methods are indispensable for ensuring the integrity of the natural herbal products industry.
• Advancements in sequencing technologies offer powerful solutions for botanical authentication.
• Implementing these molecular tools is vital for consumer safety and industry trust.