---

Application of LightCycler Polymerase Chain Reaction and Melting Curve Analysis to the Authentication of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal Plant Cimicifuga foetida

Authors Xue, Chun-Ying; Li, De-Zhu; Wang, Qing-Zhong

Journal PLANTA MEDICA , JUN 2009,8:75

DOI 10.1055/s-0029-1185403 PubMed 19266428

Abstract DNA sequence analysis of rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and fluorescence melting curve analysis of LightCycler real-time polymerase chain reaction products were exploited for their applications in the authentication of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Cimicifuga foetida from four substitutes: C. heracleifolia, C. dahurica, C. acerina, and C. simplex. According to the melting temperature - which is a function of the GC/AT ratio, length, and nucleotide sequences of the amplified product - C. foetida was differentiated from C. heracleifolia, C. dahurica, C. acerina, and C. simplex. Melting curve analysis offers a rapid and reliable method for the authentication of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant C. foetida.

Species covered 升麻 Cimicifuga foetida