Authentication of Brazilian Ginseng using Bar-HRM analysis

Abstract Hebanthe eriantha (Martius) Kuntze and Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen are medicinal plants popularly known as "Brazilian Ginseng" due to their similarity to Panax ginseng. In Brazil, they are sold as the same herb, despite their different pharmacological and toxicological properties. The morphological identification is difficult, which facilitates their adulteration. We report the application of the Barcode DNA High-Resolution Melting (Bar-HRM) using matK gene to differentiate both species in samples sold in the Brazilian market. Using the proposed method, we could discriminate and identify both species. Bar-HRM analysis allowed discriminating and identifying both species. It allowed the identification of H. eriantha and P. glomerata in 43.6% and 56.4% of the amplified samples, respectively. Of these, only seven samples were authenticated and, in 71.4% of the cases, adulterated. We concluded that Bar-HRM has proven to be a fast alternative method to authenticate plants under the common name "Brazilian Ginseng".

Eficiência da absorção, translocação e uso de N e P pela Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. ) Pedersen / Efficiency of N and P uptake, translocation and use by Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. ) Pedersen

Tendo como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de absorção, translocação e uso de nitrogênio (N) e fósforo (P) pela Pfaffia glomerata, foi conduzido o presente trabalho em casa de vegetação no delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, sendo cinco doses de N (0, 125, 250, 375 e 500 mg vaso-1) e cinco doses de P (P2O5) (0, 125, 250, 375 e 500 mg vaso-1). Os resultados evidenciaram que a eficiência de absorção de N e P foi influenciada pelas doses de N e P utilizadas no experimento apresentando interação entre os fatores em estudo. A eficiência de translocação do N foi consideravelmente menor que a de P, provavelmente pela maior concentração de compostos nitrogenados nas raízes em detrimento da parte aérea. Observou-se maior eficiência de uso do P devido à menor concentração desse elemento na planta. A absorção de N e de P foi influenciada pela dose desses elementos no solo, sendo possível a estimativa das doses desses nutrientes que proporcionem maiores eficiências de absorção, translocação, uso e teor total.

Aimed at evaluating the efficiency of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake, translocation and use by Pfaffia glomerata, the present study was conducted in greenhouse, in completely randomized design with three replicates. Treatments were displayed in 5 x 5 factorial design, with five N levels (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg pot-1) and five P (P2O5) levels (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg pot-1). Results evidenced that N and P uptake efficiency was influenced by the N and P levels used in the experiment, showing interaction among the studied factors. N translocation efficiency was considerably lower than that of P, probably due to the lower concentration of nitrogenous compounds in the roots than in the shoot. P use efficiency was higher due to the lower concentration of this element in the plant. N and P uptake was influenced by the level of these elements in the soil, being possible to estimate the levels of these nutrients which provide higher uptake, translocation and use efficiency besides total content.

Brief Introduction of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer

For many many thousand years, mankind has been using various plants as nutrient, beverage, cosmetics, dye and medicine to maintain health and to improve quality of life. In Aisa, particularly, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is considered to be the most precious plant among herbs, and ginseng has been in the spotlight worldwide. Even in the Western world, where there are greatly advanced research facilities and highly qualified man-power available, and are regarded to be capable of conquering any hard-to-cure ailments, many peoples has recently been reported to use herbal medicine, particularly ginseng. In the present compilation of papers, many scientists contributed papers pertaining to "Chemopreventive effects of ginseng". In order to facilitate the readers understand easier and better, I catalogued this collection as follows: The spiritual nature of ginseng in the Far East, the history of ginseng, nomenclature and geographical distribution of ginseng, and type of ginseng products.