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Potential Use of DNA Barcoding for the Identification of Tobacco Seized From Waterpipes

NCJ Number
241116
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2013 Pages: 194-197
Author(s)
Cindy Carrier; Francois Cholette; Camilo Quintero; Chris Fulcher
Date Published
January 2013
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This research used DNA barcoding adopted in the authors'laboratory for the identification of tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) in moassel samples seized from "hookah bars."
Abstract
DNA barcoding was adopted in the authors'laboratory for the identification of tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) in moassel samples seized from "hookah bars." As recommended by the CBOL Plant Working Group, this study used a 2-locus combination of rbcL and matK as the plant barcode. As previously reported rbcL routinely produced high quality bi-directional reads but had a lower discriminating power than matK. It was much more difficult obtaining high quality bi-directional reads with matK possibly because of poor sample quality. DNA barcoding successfully identified tobacco in over 60 commercial tobacco moassel products. On the other hand, negative results (no amplification) or the identification of non-tobacco species were obtained from herbal moassel products. This study clearly demonstrates the practical utility of DNA barcoding beyond taxonomy. (Published Abstract)