Tracking Plant, Fungal, and Bacterial DNA in Honey Specimens

• NCJ Number: 239645
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 57 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2012 Pages: 222-227
• Author(s): Cristina Olivieri, Ph.D.; Isolina Marota, Ph.D.; Franco Rollo, Ph.D.; Stefania Luciani, Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2012
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study used DNA analysis to detect a wide range of natural components in honey.

Abstract

Consuming honey can result in adverse effects owing to poisoning by bacterial (botulism) or plant toxins. The authors have devised a method to extract polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifiable DNA of up to c. 400 bp in length based on dialysis of a 15-mL honey sample for 18 h against deionized water followed by sequential extraction using phenol, phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol, chloroform/isoamyl alcohol, and ether. Sequence analysis of PCR products obtained using "universal" plant, fungal, and bacterial primers targeted to the ribosomal RNA genes has allowed us to identify six different orders of plants (Apiales, Fabales, Asterales, Solanales, Brassicales, and Sapindales), two orders of fungi (Entylomatales and Saccharomycetales), and six orders of bacteria (Sphingomonadales, Burkholderiales, Pseudomonadales, Enterobacteriales, Actinomycetales, and Bifidobacteriales) in a single honey specimen. Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.