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Updated: May 28, 2026
08:55
Application of DNA Barcoding to Identify Medicinal Plants
Published on: November 1, 2024
DNA Barcoding and Comparative Chloroplast Marker Performance in Endemic Plants of Crete (Greece)
Dimitra Ioannidou1, Ioulietta Samartza2, Georgios Tsoktouridis2
1Laboratory of Systematic Botany and Phytogeography, Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
|May 27, 2026
Summary
This study provides crucial DNA barcode data for 15 endemic Cretan plants, aiding conservation efforts. The findings enhance the DNA reference library, supporting the protection and traceability of Crete
Area of Science:
- Botany
- Molecular Biology
- Conservation Genetics
Background:
- Crete's endemic flora possesses significant ecological and economic value.
- DNA barcoding is essential for plant conservation, taxonomy, and product authentication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate DNA barcode data for 15 endemic Cretan plant taxa.
- To evaluate the suitability of three chloroplast DNA markers (rbcL, trnL, trnH-psbA) for species and genus identification.
- To contribute to the DNA barcoding reference library for Cretan flora.
Main Methods:
- DNA extraction and sequencing of three chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL, trnL, trnH-psbA) from 15 Cretan endemic taxa.
- Comparative analysis of generated sequences with GenBank (NCBI) records.
- Phylogenetic analyses using molecular markers for selected genera (Scutellaria, Teucrium, Campanula).
Main Results:
- First genetic information generated for five taxa and new marker-specific sequences for seven taxa.
- Novel genotypes identified for three species already represented in databases.
- The trnH-psbA marker proved most effective for species-level identification, while rbcL and trnL were better for genus-level identification in Lamiaceae and Campanulaceae.
Conclusions:
- The study significantly enriches the DNA barcoding reference library for Cretan endemic plants.
- Generated data supports the conservation, protection, and traceability of Crete's unique botanical heritage.
- The findings provide a foundation for future taxonomic and conservation initiatives concerning Cretan flora.
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