Development of molecular markers to distinguish between morphologically similar edible plants and poisonous plants using a real-timePCRassay

BACKGROUND As a result of similar appearances between edible and poisonous plants, 42 patients have ingested poisonous plants from 2013 to 2017 in Korea. We have developed species-specific primer sets of three of edible and poisonous plants sets (Ligularia fischeri&Caltha palustris,Artemisia annua & Ambrosia artemisiifoliaandHemerocallis fulva&Veratrum maackii) for distinguishing both plants using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS The efficiencies of the developed primer sets ranged from 87.8% to 102.0%. The developed primer sets have significant correlation coefficient values between the Ct values and the log DNA concentration for their target species (r(2) > 0.99). The cut-off lines as the crossing point values of the limit of quantitation of the target species were determined, and all non-target species were amplified later than the cut-off cycles. Then, the effectiveness of the developed primer sets was evaluated using commercial food products and digested samples with simulated gastric juice. CONCLUSION All of the developed species-specific primer sets were able to detect target DNA successfully in commercial food products and the digested samples. Therefore, the developed species-specific primer sets in the present study would be useful tools for distinguishing between poisonous plants and edible plants. (c) 2020 Society of Chemical Industry