Based on specific reamplification of this band from multiple tested bands, we concluded that the artifact bands DAPT could be derived
from the formation of heteroduplexes during PAGE analysis when more than two similar bands coexisted in the same PCR product [39]. Therefore, we consider the appearance of the heteroduplex artifact bands as a signature for the mixture of the two species that can be beneficial for authentication or identification of mixtures in large volumes of processed ginseng samples [40]. The InDel-based codominant marker has limitations in high-throughput analysis to detect mixtures of the species because genotyping with the marker depends on high-resolution gel electrophoresis. Even though HRM can detect both individual genotypes without gel electrophoresis, the method has limited application to mixed samples [24], [29], [30] and [31]. To address this, we tested the ability of the species-specific markers to identify mixtures. The Pg-specific marker could reveal the presence of P. ginseng at a 1% level in the American ginseng products ( Fig. 6A). Conversely, the Pq-specific marker could identify down to 1% P. quinquefolius in P. ginseng products ( Fig. 6B). Quantitative PCR with the same primer set was consistent RGFP966 solubility dmso with the AGE results, and revealed quantitative mixing ratios
down to 1% (Fig. 7). The quantitative PCR method reports the quantitative mixing ratio without requiring gel electrophoresis, which is an advantage for mass and high-throughput analysis for monitoring mislabeling or false trading in commercial ginseng products [41]. These markers will be useful to prevent the illegal distribution or intentional mixing of American and Korean ginseng in the ginseng market. Korean and American ginseng are important herbal medicines and each species has some
unique medicinal functions [42] and [43]. Applying the evaluation system we have developed here will promote and increase the value of Korean ginseng as well as American ginseng in Thiamine-diphosphate kinase Korea and worldwide, by allowing consumers to be confident in the contents of commercial ginseng products. All authors declare no conflicts of interest. This study was supported by the Next-Generation BioGreen21 Program (No. PJ008202), Rural Development Administration, Korea. “
“Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a renowned perennial herb that has long been used for medicinal purposes in East Asia [1]. P. ginseng has a large genome estimated to be more than 3 Gbp in size [2] and 2n = 48 chromosomes [3]. Species belonging to the genus Panax have 2n = 24 chromosomes or 48 chromosomes, so that the species with 2n = 48 chromosomes have been regarded as tetraploids [4] and [5].