DNA-based molecular screening and identification of Veronica sp

Southeastern Europe represents an important center of genetic diversity for many groups of Veronica. It was estimated that about 80 species of Veronica, representing 10 subgenera, are found in Europe [1]; out of these, about 40 have been reported in literature as being present on the Romanian territory [2]. Data about the chemical composition have been found for ten Veronica species from the Romanian flora; these species have a complex and variable biochemical composition, with many secondary metabolites used in pharmacognosy [3].

We aimed to apply molecular techniques to different Veronica species present in Romania, in order to obtain reliable means of authentication of the raw plant material and finished herbal medicinal products which contains V. officinalis and other species of the genus. Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and plastid DNA (cpDNA) intron sequences have been used for PCR amplification. The rpoB-trnC spacer region, one of the most variable plant markers of the plastid genome [4] and the psbA-trnH spacer, a highly variable cpDNA region [5] were amplified from different veronica species.

The length of both DNA fragments taken into evaluation for their putative usefulness as markers for plant authentication were highly variable among the Veronica species tested; the length variability in coherent with the molecular data reported from phylogenetic studies [6]. These two spacers could be successfully used as potential DNA barcode marker and as an alternative way to rapidly authenticate the plant species.

Acknowledgement: This study was supported by UEFISCDI/project 32151/2008.

References: 1. Albach DC et al. (2004) Taxon 53: 429–452.

2. Ichim MC et al. (2010) Bulletin UASVM Agriculture 67(2): 482.

3. Crisan G et al. (2009) Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat 113(2): 81–85.

4. Shaw J et al. (2005) Am J Bot 92: 142–166.

5. Kress WJ et al. (2005) PNAS 102(23): 8369–837.

6. Albach DC, Meudt HM (2010) Mo. Phyl Evol 54: 457–471.