Development of RAPD-Derived SCAR Markers and Multiplex-PCR for Authentication of the Schisandrae Fructus

Abstract

The fruits of Schisandra chinensis have been used as an edible ingredient and traditional medicine in Korea. Due to morphological similarities of dried mature fruits, the correct identification of S. chinensis from other closely related Schisandrae species is very difficult. Therefore, molecular biological tools based on genetic analysis are required to identify authentic Schisandrae Fructus. Random amplifed polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) were used to develop an easy, reliable and reproducible method for the authentication of these four species. In this paper, we developed several RAPD-derived species specific SCAR markers and established a multiplex-PCR condi-tion suitable to discriminate each species. These genetic markers will be useful to distinguish and authenticate Schisandrae Fructus and four medicinal plants, S. chinensis, S. sphenanthera, S. repanda and K. japonica, in species level.