Challenges in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants DNA Barcoding—Lessons from the Lamiaceae

Abstract

The potential value of DNA barcoding for the identification of medicinal plants and authentication of traded plant materials has been widely recognized; however, a number of challenges remain before DNA methods are fully accepted as an essential quality control method by industry and regulatory authorities. The successes and limitations of conventional DNA barcoding are considered in relation to important members of the Lamiaceae. The mint family (Lamiaceae) contains over one thousand species recorded as having a medicinal use, with many more exploited in food and cosmetics for their aromatic properties. The family is characterized by a diversity of secondary products, most notably the essential oils (EOs) produced in external glandular structures on the aerial parts of the plant that typify well-known plants of the basil (Ocimum), lavender (Lavandula), mint (Mentha), thyme (Thymus), sage (Salvia) and related genera. This complex, species-rich family includes widely cultivated commercial hybrids and endangered wild-harvested traditional medicines, and examples of potential toxic adulterants within the family are explored in detail. The opportunities provided by next generation sequencing technologies to whole plastome barcoding and nuclear genome sequencing are also discussed with relevant examples.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Stem Bark Essential Oil and Extracts of Solanecio gigas

“…Plant based secondary metabolites such as EO and extracts are widely used in the food industry and considered Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Various publications have documented the antimicrobial activity of the EOs and plant extracts [ 30 ]. Also, several researchers reported mono- and sesquiterpenoids as the major components of EOs, which are phenolic in nature.…”

Larvicidal and adulticidal activity of essential oils from plants of the Lamiaceae family against the West Nile virus vector, Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…Their essential oils are obtained from different aerial parts (seeds, leaves, flowers, shoots, and fruits) or roots. These oils contain characteristic functional groups such as aldehydes, esters, phenols, ketones, alcohols, organic acids, hydrocarbons and terpenoids Essential oils may be preferred in the industrial economic sector due to the development of fewer toxic side products and economic viability ( Nazar et al, 2022 , Ramos da Silva et al, 2021 ).…”

Sideritis elica, a New Species of Lamiaceae from Bulgaria, Revealed by Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny

“…This is especially important in cases of so-called “cryptic species”, i.e., species demonstrating low morphological, but considerable genetic, differences [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Genetic markers, including DNA barcoding, have been successfully applied to the study of different aspects of genetic diversity and the evolutionary relationships between different medicinal plants of the family Lamiaceae [ 25 , 26 , 27 ], including the species of genus Sideritis [ 28 , 29 ]. The application of DNA barcoding markers has been proven to be an important tool for various genetic and systematic studies.…”

“…Both matK and rbcL have been selected as core barcodes by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) Plant Working Group (PWG), and ITS/ITS2 and trnH-psbA have been suggested as supplementary loci. In addition, the utility of these markers has been explored and discussed in previous studies on representatives of the family Lamiaceae [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Our last, but very important, objective was to provide a description of this new species of genus Sideritis , sect.…”