Scientists produced DNA barcodes for a medicinal plant found in India called Rishyagandha (Withania coagulans). Their study can be used by the pharmaceutical industry for plant collection and adulteration.
Rishyagandha is an essential medicinal plant in India that is usually misidentified with other Withania species. To address this issue, researchers have developed barcodes from samples of W. coagulans for molecular-based identification and authentication of the plant.
Five genetic markers were identified and used in this study. Their findings showed that psbA and rbcI markers are better barcodes because they exhibited 100% conservation even though the geographical areas were changed. Meanwhile, ITS, rpoB, and matK markers can be used to distinguish between the unique evolutions of the Solanaceae family.
(Source: Crop Biotech Update, International Service for Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications. www.isaaa.org)
