DNA-Based Herbal Teas' Authentication: An ITS2 and psbA-trnH Multi-Marker DNA Metabarcoding Approach.

ABSTRACT: Medicinal plants have been widely used in traditional medicine due to their therapeutic properties. Although they are mostly used as herbal infusion and tincture, employment as ingredients of food supplements is increasing. However, fraud and adulteration are widespread issues. In our study, we aimed at evaluating DNA metabarcoding as a tool to identify product composition. In order to accomplish this, we analyzed fifteen commercial products with DNA metabarcoding, using two barcode regions: psbA-trnH and ITS2. Results showed that on average, 70% (44-100) of the declared ingredients have been identified. The ITS2 marker appears to identify more species (n = 60) than psbA-trnH (n = 35), with an ingredients' identification rate of 52% versus 45%, respectively. Some species are identified onl

SUBMITTER: Frigerio J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8539046 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature