Molecular identification of panax ginseng c.a. meyer in ginseng commercial products

Molecular techniques (PCR and RFLP) were used to verify the presence of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer in commercial products containing ginseng. DNA, extracted from four vegetable forms present in marketed products, was amplified with 18df/28ccr primers. The RFLP of the DNA amplified products, obtained using Inf I, Sau 3A1 and Taq I endonucleases, allowed the identification of P. ginseng and its differentiation from P. quinquefolium. P. ginseng was detected in 9 out 16 samples tested which, according to the declaration on the labels, contained the drug. Negative results were obtained for products containing the dried extract of the drug. A comparison of the results acquired using the molecular techniques with those using HPLC is also reported.