APPLICATION OF DNA BARCODING FOR AUTHENTICATION OF SOME COMMERCIAL ALOE VERA PLANT POWDER USING matK GENE AS A BARCODE

Medicinal plants hold significant importance in both traditional and modern healthcare practices, providing a wide range of therapeutic benefits. Among them, Aloe vera is highly valued for its wide range of pharmacological properties and commercial applications. India is a leading producer and exporter of Aloe vera and other herbal plants, particularly within the Asia-Pacific market. Aloe vera is used extensively in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and nutraceutical industries. However, the authenticity of commercial Aloe vera powder remains a concern due to possible adulteration, especially in processed forms where morphological identification is ineffective. This raises serious issues related to consumer safety, product integrity, and trade reliability. DNA barcoding has emerged as a reliable molecular technique for accurate species identification, even in degraded or powdered samples. In this study, DNA barcoding is applied using matK (Maturase K) gene as a barcode to authenticate 11 Aloe vera powder samples collected from various districts of West Bengal. The results aim to highlight the effectiveness of this approach in detecting adulteration and ensuring product quality in the herbal industry.