Molecular identification of hippocampus and its adulterants based on COI barcode / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To establish an accurate identification method of genuine Hippocampus based on COI sequences as DNA barcodes and analyze the relationship between the genuine and adulterants of Hippocampus. METHODS: Two hundred and e-leven pieces of COI sequences were collected from 21 Hippocampus species in this study. After PCR amplification and sequencing of the DNAs, the DNA barcoding gap and phylogenetic cluster analysis were carried out. RESULTS: The COI sequences of the five authentic species all had obvious DNA barcoding gap. For phylogenetic cluster analysis, all of the samples were monophyletic and every species could be discriminated clearly. CONCLUSION: COI is an effective DNA barcode for the identification of the genuine Hippocampus and its adulterants, and have important significance for clinical medication safety.