Articles
MOLECULAR METHODS FOR THE AUTHENTICATION OF BOTANICALS AND DETECTION OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINANTS AND ADULTERANTS
Article number
720_6
Pages
59 – 72
Language
English
Abstract
The use of botanical supplements for health benefits is becoming increasingly popular among U.S. consumers.
The medicinal properties of these botanicals are being better understood and are attributable to the phytochemicals that specific plants contain.
The efficacy and safety of herbal products therefore rely on the quality and proper identification of the starting product.
The use of molecular methods for the authentication of botanicals is showing great promise for complementing traditional methods of taxonomic and chemical analysis for species identification.
In particular, the species variability that exists in specific regions of DNA shows vast potential for use in the confirmation of species identity and for the detection of contaminating biological material.
The medicinal properties of these botanicals are being better understood and are attributable to the phytochemicals that specific plants contain.
The efficacy and safety of herbal products therefore rely on the quality and proper identification of the starting product.
The use of molecular methods for the authentication of botanicals is showing great promise for complementing traditional methods of taxonomic and chemical analysis for species identification.
In particular, the species variability that exists in specific regions of DNA shows vast potential for use in the confirmation of species identity and for the detection of contaminating biological material.
Authors
M.R. Lum, A.M. Hirsch
Keywords
dietary supplements, identification, PCR-based methods, verification of purity
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