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DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1112219
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Detection of Illicium anisatum as Adulterant of Illicium verum
Mention of trade names or commercial products in this manuscript is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of AgriculturePublication History
Received: June 30, 2008
Revised: October 1, 2008
Accepted: November 17, 2008
Publication Date:
14 January 2009 (online)
Abstract
Chinese Star anise, Illicium verum Hook, is a well known spice in many cultures and has also been used to treat infant colic. Recent publications report that Chinese Star anise might be adulterated with the toxic Japanese Star anise, Illicium anisatum L. We have developed a molecular method that helps with the detection of I. anisatum as adulterant of I. verum. We PCR-amplified the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and analyzed it with the endonucleases PstI and BfmI. Based on fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP), we were able to detect and distinguish between I. anisatum and other Illicium species in powdered samples.
Key words
Illicium verum - Illicium anisatum - Illiciaceae - molecular markers - adulterations
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Dr. Natascha Techen
University of Mississippi
National Center for Natural Products Research
School of Pharmacy
P.O. Box 1848
University
MS 38677
USA
Phone: +1-662-915-1549
Fax: +1-662-915-7062
Email: ntechen@olemiss.edu