field-identification-matricaria-chamomilla-using-portable-qpcr

Field Identification of <em>Matricaria chamomilla</em> using a Portable qPCR System

Quality control in botanical products begins with the raw material supply. Traditionally, botanical identification is performed through morphological ...

Herbalife International of America, Inc.

AOAC SMPR 2015.015.

AOAC SMPR 2015.016.

DNA-based methods have been gaining recognition as a tool for botanical authentication in herbal medicine; however, their application in processed botanical materials is challenging due to the low quality and quantity of DNA left after extensive manufacturing processes. The low amount of DNA recovered from processed materials, especially extracts, is "invisible" by current technology, which has casted doubt on the presence of amplifiable botanical DNA. A method using adapter-ligation and PCR amplification was successfully applied to visualize the "invisible" DNA in botanical extracts. The size of the "invisible" DNA fragments in botanical extracts was around 20-220 bp compared to fragments of around 600 bp for the more easily visualized DNA in botanical powders. This technique is the first to allow characterization and visualization of small fragments of DNA in processed botanical materials and will provide key information to guide the development of appropriate DNA-based botanical authentication methods in the future.

Visualization of DNA in highly processed botanical materials.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) leaf is an herb widely consumed for its health benefits. Due to similar morphological and chemical profiles, celery leaf may be a source of substitution in commercial parsley materials. In order to detect this substitution, the present work characterized parsley and celery leaf at the cultivar level by physical, chemical and DNA approaches. In contrast to the variations observed in physical appearances and chemical profiles that make verification of authenticity difficult, consistent differences observed between their DNA sequences are suitable for verifying parsley material authenticity. To identify parsley and detect celery simultaneously, a multiplex qPCR assay was developed and validated with respect to efficiency and specificity. Further testing indicated the assay can be used to detect 1% (w/w) celery in parsley materials with a probability of detection greater than 0.9. The developed method is well-suited for routine quality control to prevent parsley material misidentification in commercial trade.

Yanjun Zhang

Corporate Quality

Herbalife International of America, Inc.

Field Identification of Matricaria chamomilla using a Portable qPCR System

Yanjun Zhang

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Herbalife International of America, Inc.

Field Identification of Matricaria chamomilla using a Portable qPCR System

Corporate Quality