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
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

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)