Identification of Botanical Origin in Chinese Medicinal Preparations by Nested PCR and DNA Sequencing Methods

Kang-Tsu Lu

Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

(Received: February 29, 2012; Accepted: December 4, 2012)

ABSTRACT

In modern life, Chinese medicinal preparations are more commonly used than raw materials. It is more difficult to accurately authenticate herb ingredients in the preparations. The DNA sequence is often used to identify flora and fauna species. Nested PCR has the specificity and the sensitivity. Nested PCR and DNA sequencing methods were applied to detect herb components and to identify the botanical origin in Chinese medicinal preparations. In this paper, the identification of over twenty herbs in Chinese medicinal preparations was described.

Key words: Nested PCR, DNA sequencing, ITS, 12S rRNA gene