3rd Edition Of Plant Science and Molecular Biology World Conference 2026

Abstract

Genetic analysis of plant species has significant uses in both conservation biology and forensic science, especially with threatened or ecologically significant taxa. This study identified five recalcitrant species—Mammillaria huitzilopochtli, Ferocactus acanthodes, Euphorbia lactea, Micranthocereus estevesii, and Haageocereus crestata—with high contents of polysaccharides, mucilage, and secondary metabolites that make DNA extraction and PCR amplification difficult. These taxa not only present conservation interest through habitat degradation and illegal trade but also forensic interest for tracing plant material in cases of bio-trafficking and encroachment into habitats. Some of these species are listed on the IUCN Red List and are covered by CITES regulations, which makes the need for consistent molecular tools crucial to augment legal and conservation practices. Good-quality DNA is essential to facilitate population genetic studies, species identification, and phylogenetic analysis supporting both ecological and legal interventions in plant conservation. In the present study, four DNA extraction methods were compared with particular emphasis on CTAB-based protocols. The optimum results were obtained with outer cuticle tissue of aged lyophilized samples. DNA yield and purity were high throughout replicates (n = 3 for each species) with A260/A280 ratios of 1.5 to 1.8 and concentrations ≥ 200 ng μL⁻¹. Successful PCR amplification of ITS and chloroplast regions gave clear and unique bands. The results of the present study form the basis for the development of genetic databases for such threatened species to guide in situ and ex situ conservation plans. Forensic uses involve species authentication of impounded plant material and tracking genetic erosion. In general, the study fills the gap between forensic botany and molecular conservation in order to increase traceability and protection of threatened desert plants.

Keywords: DNA extraction, Forensic Botany, Cactus Conservation, Molecular identification, PCR amplification