GENETIC MAKEUP OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT, VITEX SP., BASED ON DNA BARCODING: AN IN-SILICO ANALYSIS

Vitex species belong to a pivotal genus of the medicinal plants; however, research on their genetic
diversity is still limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the genetic variation in Vitex species
based on the DNA barcoding genes matK and rbcL. The collected data for the matK and rbcL complete
sequences came from the gene bank, with 31 matK and 23 rbcL accessions analyzed, comprising five
geolocations, including China, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The data’s analysis used
the MEGA 11 to reveal the genetic variation and generate phylogenetic trees. The Vitex haplotype
network generation utilized the DnaSP and PopART. The results showed the genetic variation within
the matK gene in Vitex species was greater than that in the rbcL gene. Overall, 75 and 40 nucleotide
polymorphisms succeeded in detecting in matK and rbcL genes, respectively. Based on the
phylogenetic trees of Vitex species, matK and rbcL genes could effectively separate the species into
three general clades. The haplotype network analysis revealed 14 and nine haplotypes based on matK
and rbcL, respectively. Genetic variation within Vitex species could be useful for the development of
specific DNA barcoding for species authentication, conservation, and comprehensive assessment of
genetic diversity across the regions