Background : Kalopanacis Cortex (海桐皮) is listed in「The Korea Pharmacopoeia (KP)」as the original plant of Kalopanax septemlobus (Thunb.) Koidz. However, the dried cortex of Erythrina eariegata L (刺桐) is an adulterant, one of the most indiscriminately used herbal medicines because of its similar morphologic. Due to the morphological similarities of the dried cortex of this plant to those of K. septemlobus which is used as a substitute herbal for E. eariegata, distinguish these two species is extremely difficult. Meanwhile, K. septemlobus is a polymorphic species, its morphological characteristics showed great diversity due to the different geographical and environmental factors. For this reason, it is conducted to develop molecular markers to distinguishing these K. septemlobus with E. eariegata by using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods and Results : In this study, In order to clearly identify origin of K. septemlobus, E. eariegata was analyzed from four barcode regions of chloroplast DNA (psbA-trnH, rbcL, matK, atpH-atpF) and nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS2) to evaluate the ability of discrimination for each barcode region. The present study aimed to analyze the percent of variable sites were provided the highest ITS2 (2.3%) followed by rbcL (8.2%), in oder to develop a species-specific primer that can distinguish K. septemlobus form E. eariegata. Conclusion : The INDEL markers were developed based on the divergence of each sequence, and it is possible now to identify the two species of K. septemlobus with just a single performance of PCR. This will not only prevent misused of the plant, but also to maintain the quality of the herbal medicine as well as to verify and guarantee safety for public health.

Background : In the KHP (the Korea Herbal Pharmacopoeia), the Cuscutae Semen (菟絲子) is defined as the seed of the Cuscuta chinensis Lamark (family: Convolvulaceae). Using authentic raw herbal materials is fundamental to herbal medicine quality and Cuscutae Semen is widely distributed in many asian countries. Due to having tiny bodies of seeds, it is extremely difficult to differentiate them from adulterants and closely related species by morphologic characteristics, leading to serious safety problems. For this reason, there was conducted to develop molecular markers to distinguishing these Cuscuta chinensis with Cuscuta japonica and Cuscuta pentagona by using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Method and Results : In this study we developed a clearly and efficient method to identify Cuscutae Semen on the market. These samples (C. chinensis, C. japonica and C. pentagona) were analyzed from two barcode regions of chloroplast DNA (rbcL, psbA-trnH) and nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS2). Based on genetic distance, the precent of variable sites were provided the highest psbA-trnH value (38.7%), followed by ITS2 (23.4%), rbcL (9.9%), in order to develop a specific primer that can distinguish C. chinensis, C. japonica and C. pentagona. Conclusion : From the above results, DNA barcoding was proved to be a successful tool for authentication the three species of Cuscutae semen. The adoption of DNA barcoding as an authentication tool by food safety agencies can safeguard the interests of both consumers and traders.

Background : Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (薑黃) is listed in「The Korea Pharmacopoeia (K P)」as the original plant of Curcuma longa L (Zingiberaceae). Meanwhile, Zeodariae Rhizoma (莪朮) is listed in 「The Korea Pharmacopoeia (KP)」as the original plant of C. phaeocaulis, C. aromatica and C. Kwangsiensi (Zingiberaceae). Due to the morphological similarities of the dried roots of this plant to those of C. phaeocaulis, C. aromatica and C. Kwangsiensis which is used as a substitute herbal for C.longa, distinguish these four species is extremely difficult. Methods and Results : A total of 90 collected samples were used in this study, In order to clearly distinguish of Curcumae Longae Rhizoma and Zeodariae Rhizoma were analysis based on sequence of the chloroplast DNA (trnK, rbcL, trnL-F, atpB-rbcL) and nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS2). The present study aimed to analyze the percent of variable sites were provided the highest trnK (2.3%), in oder to develop a species-specific primer that can distinguish C.longa form C. phaeocaulis, C. aromatica and C. Kwangsiensis. In addition, the complete chloroplast genome of C. longa were sequenced by a 454 sequencing platform, and the structure of the obtained chloroplast genome was also analyzed. the result used that INDEL (insertion/deletion) marker for distinguish C.longa form C. phaeocaulis, C. aromatica and C. Kwangsiensis. Conclusion : The INDEL markers were developed based on the divergence of each sequence, and it is possible now to identify the four species of Curcumae Longae Rhizoma with just a single performance of PCR. This will not only prevent misused of the plant, but also to maintain the quality of the herbal medicine as well as to verify and guarantee safety for public health.

Background : Chrysanthemi Indici Flos (甘菊) is listed in 「The Korea Herbal Pharmacopoeia (KHP)」as the original plant of Chrysanthemum indicum L. C. indicum was one of the most representative medicinal plants in Asteraceae, Dried flowers of this plant have been valid chemical composition such as flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides, possessing broad spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antihypertensive and anti-oxidation functions. Meanwhile, C. indicum was a polymorphic species, its morphological characteristics showed great diversity due to the different geographical and environmental factors. For this reason, there was conducted to develop molecular markers to distinguishing these C. indicum with C. morifolium, C. zawadskii var. latilobum and Aster spathulifolius by using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods and Results : In this study, In order to clearly identify origin of Chrysanthemi Indici Flos, these samples (C. indicum, C. morifolium, C. zawadskii var. latilobum and A. spathulifolius) were analyzed from five barcoding regions of chloroplast DNA (rbcL, matK, rpoB, atpF-atpH) and nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS2) to evaluate the ability of discrimination for each barcoding region. Based on genetic distance, the percent of variable sites were provided the highest ITS2 value (56.9%), followed by atpF-atpH (48.18%), matK (27.2%), psbK (8.2%), and rbcL (2.9%). Comparative analysis based on the complete genome sequence of the petL-petG region INDEL (insertion/deletion) that the gene annotations were registered to the GenBank (accession number: JN-867592.1, NC-020092.1, MF-034027.1, NF-279514.1). Conclusion : From the above results, we may suggest that the petL-petG region INDEL analysis were conducted for molecular authentication of four plants (C. indicum, C. morifolium, C. zawadskii var. latilobum and A. spathulifolius). The findings of results indicated that petL-petG region might be established INDEL analysis systems and hence were proved to be an effective tools for molecular evaluation and comparison of “Chrysanthemi Indici Flos” with other plants.