Identification of Tay Giang citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) based on molecular markers and essential oil compositions

Classification of the genus Cympobogon is mainly determined by the morphological characteristics, the smell of the essential oil and the concentration of bioactive compounds present in the essential oil. However, this method is affected by the environment. Identification based on DNA barcoding results the high accuracy at the species level. In this study, the authors amplified and compared the two chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL and matK) and the nucleus region (ITS) of 3 lines of Tay Giang citronella. The obtained sequences of each gene were similar between the three lines of Tay Giang citronella, indicating the 3 lines of Tay Giang citronella had the same origin. Compared with other Cymbopogon species, rbcL showed 1 polymorphism, matKshowed 10 polymorphisms, and 40 polymorphisms were found in the ITS sequence. However, these DNA barcodes were not enough to accurately identify Tay Giang citronella. In combination with ITS sequence analysis and essential oil components including citronellal, citronellol and geraniol, Tay Giang citronella was identified and authenticated into the species Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.