Molecular characterization of poroto (<em>Erythrina edulis</em> Triana ex Micheli) based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) marker

This study focuses on the molecular characterization of Erythrina edulis (pajuro or basul), a legume with significant nutritional value and traditional medicinal uses. Despite its importance, molecular identification of E. edulis had not been performed in Peru prior to this work. The research employs DNA barcoding, specifically using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, to achieve precise molecular identification. Young leaf samples of E. edulis were collected from Ambar, Huaura, Lima, Peru. Total genomic DNA was extracted using a modified CTAB protocol. PCR amplification targeted the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA using specific primers (ITS1 and ITS4). The amplified fragments were purified and sequenced using the Sanger method. BioEdit 7.7 software was used to clean the sequences, which were then compared to the NCBI database using BLAST. Sequences with similarity percentages above 90% were selected for phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using the Neighbor-Joining method with bootstrap testing to ensure reliability. The ITS sequence of E. edulis showed 100% similarity with the MT023907.1 sequence in GenBank, confirming its molecular identification. The study constructed a phylogenetic tree to illustrate the evolutionary relationships within the genus Erythrina. The analysis revealed significant genetic variation, supporting the use of ITS markers for species classification within this genus. The findings demonstrate that the ITS region is a reliable genetic marker for the molecular identification and classification of Erythrina species. This work represents the first molecular identification of E. edulis in Peru, providing a foundation for future genetic studies and conservation efforts. The study highlights the advantages of molecular techniques over traditional morphological methods in plant taxonomy and phylogeny.