Employing DNA metabarcoding to determine the geographical origin of honey

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05596
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25T13:18:13Z
• Authors: Elmira Khansaritoreh; Yasaman Salmaki; Elias Ramezani; Tayebeh Akbari Az...; Alexander Keller; Katrin Neumann; Kamaleddin Alizadeh; Shahin Zarre; Gudrun Beckh; Hermann Behling
• Keywords: Ancient DNA

Unfavourable climatic conditions force Iranian beekeepers to translocate over large distances in the course of year. However, irrespective main place production, honey is always labeled with name beekeepers' hometown, which leads consequently mislabeled products. The present study investigates capability DNA metabarcoding locate geographical origin honey. molecular markers (ITS2 and rbcL) allowed identification 926 plant species studied samples. A comprehensive review floristic reference books specified 34 key that could be used successfully determine 91.4% These were usually tiny amounts thus, conventional palynology might not able detect them. investigation indicates although ITS2 more than rbcL, utilizing a combination both provides robust evidence origin.