Development and optimization of the qPCR-based rapid detection method for Chinese species of Sanghuangporus

Sanghuangporus , well known as ‘Sanghuang’, is a macrofungal genus accommodating 11 edible and medicinal species in China. With the prosperous development of ‘Sanghuang’ business in China, the fraudulent practice naming the products of other morphologically and phylogenetically related species as ‘Sanghuang’ happens frequently, which disturbs the market order of ‘Sanghuang’ business. To promote the healthy industrial development of Sanghuangporus and also prevent the loss of this macrofungal resource, we develop a qPCR-based rapid detection method in this study. Internal transcribed spacer sequences of Fuscoporia , Inonotus , Phellinus, Sanghuangporus and Tropicoporus were aligned to design Sanghuangporus- specific amplification primers and probe, which can specifically distinguish all 11 Chinese species of Sanghuangporus from species of other closely related genera. The concentrations of Sanghuangporus -specific primers and probe were optimized as 0.7 μmol/L and 0.5 μmol/L, respectively, where the qPCR has the minimum detectable DNA template concentration of 10 −3 ng/μL. In summary, the current qPCR-based detection method was specific, sensitive and rapid for Chinese species of Sanghuangporus . • Developing a qPCR-based method for identifying Chinese species of Sanghuangporus. • Optimizing the concentrations of primers and probe in the rapid detection method. • Optimal concentrations of primers and probe are 0.7 and 0.5 μmol/L, respectively. • The qPCR method has the minimum detectable DNA template concentration of 10 −3 ng/μL. • The rapid detection method will promote the industrial development of Sanghuangporus.