Genetic identification of medicinally used Salacia species by nrDNA ITS sequences and a PCR-RFLP assay for authentication of Salacia-related health foods

Salacia spp.: recent insights on biotechnological interventions and future perspectives

The plants of the genus Salacia L. are the storehouse of several bioactive compounds, and are involved in treating human diseases and disorders. Hitherto, a number of reports have been published on in vitro biotechnology as well as microbial involvement in the improvement of Salacia spp. The present review provides comprehensive insights into biotechnological interventions such as tissue culture for plant propagation, in vitro cultures, and endophytic microbes for up-scaling the secondary metabolites and biological potential of Salacia spp. Other biotechnological interventions such as molecular markers and bio-nanomaterials for up-grading the prospective of Salacia spp. are also considered. The in vitro biotechnology of Salacia spp. is largely focused on plant regeneration, callus culture, cell suspension culture, somatic embryogenesis, and subsequent ex vitro establishment of the in vitro-raised plantlets. The compiled information on tissue cultural strategies, involvement of endophytes, molecular markers, and nanomaterials will assist the advanced research related to in vitro manipulation, domestication, and commercial cultivation of elite clones of Salacia spp. Moreover, the genetic diversity and other molecular-marker based assessments will aid in designing conservation policies as well as support upgrading and breeding initiatives for Salacia spp. KEY POINTS: • Salacia spp. plays a multifaceted role in human health and disease management. • Critical and updated assessment of tissue culture, endophytic microbes, metabolites, molecular markers, and bio-nanomaterials of Salacia spp. • Key shortcomings and future research directions for Salacia biotechnology.

Genetic analysis of Curcuma species from Asia based on intron regions of genes encoding diketide-CoA synthase and curcumin synthase

Intron length polymorphism (ILP) markers in genes encoding diketide-CoA synthase (DCS) and curcumin synthase (CURS) showed high identification rates in 13 Curcuma species from Asia. However, the sequences of the intron regions have not yet been analyzed. To elucidate the sequence differences in intron regions of the DCS and CURS genes and to search for specific sequences suitable for the identification of Curcuma species, a large number of sequences were determined through subcloning coupled with sequencing analysis of six Curcuma plant specimens belonging to five species that showed distinct ILP patterns. More than 30 sequences of each region from each specimen were grouped into genes DCS1, DCS2, or CURS1-3 and subsequently the sequences of the same genes were compared. Sequences belonging to the same gene showed inter-species similarity, and thus, these intron sequences were less informative within each single-gene region. The determined sequences from each specimen showed 3-5 kinds of sequence lengths in DCS intron I region, and 5-7 kinds of sequence lengths in CURS intron region. The length of determined sequences and the fragment number in each intron region were different among species, or specimens in C. longa, which were in accordance with the fragment lengths and numbers in their corresponding ILP patterns.