Affiliation:
1. Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
Abstract
Abstract:
Due to its accuracy and expert-authenticated validation mechanism, DNA barcoding technology
is advocated to be superior to existing methods of species identification. While DNA barcoding
is generally viewed as valuable innovation in herbal materials authentication, the acceptability and
accessibility issues pose a barrier to its uptake into the global herbal regulatory framework. We explore
the current status of DNA barcoding technology for quality assurance of herbal materials/
products (HM/P) and the challenges of its formal adoption into multi-level policy. We discuss the
adulteration problem in the HM/P value chain, provide an overview of DNA barcoding technology
features, and highlight the current use of DNA barcoding from the perspective of four key stakeholders,
i.e., epistemic group, international bodies, governments, and market agents, practicing DNA barcoding
technology in the HM/P value chain. The discussion also includes the status of DNA barcoding
in the control system of HM/P in the US, EU, and China, and provides some recommendations on how
the application of DNA barcoding as quality control/assurance can be deployed in the HM/P value
chain.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Complementary and alternative medicine,Drug Discovery