|Joshi, Vaishali - UNIV. OF MISSISSIPPI|
|Techen, Natascha - UNIV. OF MISSISSIPPI|
|Khan, Ikhlas - UNIV. OF MISSISSIPPI|
Submitted to: Journal of Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 22, 2008
Publication Date: July 3, 2009
Citation: Joshi, V., Techen, N., Scheffler, B.E., Khan, I.A. 2009. Identification and Differentiation Between Hoodia gordonii Masson) Sweet ex Decne., Opuntia ficus indica (L.) P. Miller and Other Related Hoodia Species by Microscopy and PCR Methods. Journal of Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants. 15(3)253-264 Interpretive Summary: The Hoodia gordonii is succulent plant species that produces a chemical compound that is known to be an appetite suppressant. It is also a rare species and because it has become a popular dietary supplement supplies are limited. As supplies become limited, it is desirable to have an array of tools to identify plant material that is believed to be Hoodia. This paper describes DNA technology and microscopic methods to properly identify Hoodia.
Technical Abstract: H.gordonii an appetite suppressant is used extensively as botanical dietary supplement. Microscopy and molecular genetic procedure are provided for identification and differentiation between H. gordonii, O. ficus-indica and other related Hoodia species.P.