Evaluation Of Three Candidate DNA Barcoding Loci In Selected Ficus L. (Moraceae)

Abstract: The genus Ficus L. (Moraceae) is known for its diverse morphology and habit as well as economical, ecological, and pharmaceutical importance. In this study, six Philippine Ficus species were utilized to determine the best barcoding loci among cpDNA (rbcL, trnH-psbA) and nrDNA (ITS) markers on the basis of universality, discriminatory power, and resolution of species. Both trnH-psbA and ITS showed 100% PCR success rate and 67% sequencing success, whereas rbcL exhibited 67% PCR success rate but 100% sequencing success. The trnH-psbA marker performed best in terms of discriminatory power, showing the highest variable informative site (71.37%) and the highest mean interspecific distance (48.32% ± 19.89%). ITS ranked next to trnH-psbA since it was able to generate 100% resolution of species and a comparable mean intraspecific distance score with trnHpsbA. Meanwhile, rbcL failed to resolve any species correctly; thus, it has a 0% resolution of species. We initially recommend trnH-psbA and ITS as potential DNA barcodes for molecular authentication of Ficus species

Cyrtandra argentii, a new species of Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) from the Philippines, and a review of the C. villosissima group

Cyrtandra argentii Olivar, H.J.Atkins & Muellner sp. nov., endemic to the Philippines and named after George Argent, is herein described and illustrated. Collections associated with this new species are often confused with three other species, namely C. ferruginea Merr., C. villosissima Merr., and C. hirtigera H.J.Atkins & Cronk. Distinguishing characters including keys, updated descriptions, distribution maps, and photos of live specimens are provided to aid identification of the four species. Following the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, C. argentii sp. nov. is considered to be Near Threatened (NT) due to its distribution in a zone susceptible to anthropogenic pressure and the lack of any formal protection

A synopsis of Philippine Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae)

A taxonomic synopsis of Philippine Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) is presented. Following a study of 138 published names and their types, we accept 98 Cyrtandra species for the Philippine flora. Except for C. angularis, C. elatostemoides, and C. yaeyamae, all are endemic to the country. Lectotypes or neotypes are designated for all names for which this is necessary, except for six names for which we were unable to locate original material. We also validate a species name that was previously described without a Latin diagnosis (C. peninsula), synonymize three names, and provide taxonomic notes for each species. In addition, we propose two replacement names for taxa for which a legitimate name in Cyrtandra does not currently exist: C. edanoi for a Philippine species and C. siporensis for a Sumatran species. A look-up table is provided to facilitate referencing of currently accepted names in Philippine Cyrtandra

Establishment of a standard reference material (SRM) herbal DNA barcode library of <i>Vitex negundo</i> L. (lagundi) for quality control measures

<p>The majority of the population in the Philippines relies on herbal products as their primary source for their healthcare needs. After the recognition of <i>Vitex negundo</i> L. (lagundi) as an important and effective alternative medicine for cough, sore throat, asthma and fever by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH), there was an increase in the production of lagundi-based herbal products in the form of teas, capsules and syrups. The efficiency of these products is greatly reliant on the use of authentic plant material, and to this day no standard protocol has been established to authenticate plant materials. DNA barcoding offers a quick and reliable species authentication tool, but its application to plant material has been less successful due to (1) lack of a standard DNA barcoding loci in plants and (2) poor DNA yield from powderised plant products. This study reports the successful application of DNA barcoding in the authentication of five <i>V. negundo</i> herbal products sold in the Philippines. Also, the first standard reference material (SRM) herbal library for the recognition of authentic <i>V. negundo</i> samples was established using 42 gene accessions of ITS, <i>psbA-trnH</i> and <i>matK</i> barcoding loci. Authentication of the herbal products utilised the SRM following the BLASTn and maximum-likelihood (ML) tree construction criterion. Barcode sequences were retrieved for ITS and <i>psbA-trnH</i> of all products tested and the results of the study revealed that only one out of five herbal products satisfied both BLASTn and ML criterion and was considered to contain authentic <i>V. negundo</i>. The results prompt the urgent need to utilise DNA barcoding in authenticating herbal products available in the Philippine market. Authentication of these products will secure consumer health by preventing the negative effects of adulteration, substitution and contamination.</p