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Yamamuro T, Saito Y, Okada Y, Segawa H, Kuwayama K, Tsujikawa K, Kanamori T, Iwata YT. Identifying a suspect powder as a cannabis concentrate through chemical analysis and DNA testing. Forensic Toxicol 2024; 42:102-109. [PMID: 37603166 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-023-00672-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cannabis is regulated in many countries, and cannabis products are diversifying, which can hinder identification. Here, we report the seizure of a powder sample with a cannabis-like odor in a spice bottle labeled "nutmeg" and identification of the sample by chemical testing and cannabis DNA testing. METHODS The sample was observed under a microscope, extracted with methanol, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The chemical profile of the seized powder was compared with that of nutmeg samples. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detection was used to estimate the total Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) concentration in the sample. A commercially available cannabis DNA testing kit was used to confirm the presence of cannabis plant DNA in the seized sample. RESULTS The characteristics of cannabis in the seized powder were difficult to determine through microscopic observation alone. GC-MS analysis identified β-caryophyllene (an aromatic component of cannabis) and five cannabinoids unique to cannabis, including Δ9-THC. No common compounds were identified in the seized powder or nutmeg samples. The total Δ9-THC concentration in the sample was very high (approximately 47% by weight). Cannabis DNA testing confirmed that the seized powder contained cannabis. CONCLUSIONS The seized powder was found to be a processed product made from a finely pulverized resin-like cannabis concentrate. Our results indicate that combined chemical and DNA analysis should help identify cannabis-related samples in various forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Yamamuro
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Saito
- Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Hokkaido Prefectural Police Headquarters, Kita 2-Jo Nishi 7-Chome, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8520, Japan
| | - Yuki Okada
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Hiroki Segawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Kenji Kuwayama
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Kenji Tsujikawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Tatsuyuki Kanamori
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
| | - Yuko T Iwata
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
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Zhang X, Yu H, Wang Z, Yang Q, Xia R, Qu Y, Tao R, Shi Y, Xiang P, Zhang S, Li C. Multi-locus identification of Psilocybe cubensis by high-resolution melting (HRM). Forensic Sci Res 2021; 7:490-497. [PMID: 36353314 PMCID: PMC9639532 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2021.1875580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hallucinogenic mushroom is a kind of toxic strain containing psychoactive tryptamine substances such as psilocybin, psilocin and ibotenic acid, etc. The mushrooms containing hallucinogenic components are various, widely distributed and lack of standard to define, which made a great challenge to identification. Traditional identification methods, such as morphology and toxicology analysis, showed shortcomings in old or processed samples, while the DNA-based identification of hallucinogenic mushrooms would allow to identify these samples due to the stability of DNA. In this paper, four primer sets are designed to target Psilocybe cubensis DNA for increasing resolution of present identification method, and the target markers include largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (marked as PC-R1), psilocybin-related phosphotransferase gene (marked as PC-PT), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (marked as PC-3) and translation EF1α (marked as PC-EF). Real-time PCR with high-resolution melting (HRM) assay were used for the differentiation of the fragments amplified by these primer sets, which were tested for specificity, reproducibility, sensitivity, mixture analysis and multiplex PCR. It was shown that the melting temperatures of PC-R1, PC-PT, PC-3 and PC-EF of P. cubensis were (87.93 ± 0.12) °C, (82.21 ± 0.14) °C, (79.72 ± 0.12) °C and (80.11 ± 0.19) °C in our kinds of independent experiments. Significant HRM characteristic can be shown with a low concentration of 62.5 pg/µL DNA sample, and P. cubensis could be detected in mixtures with Homo sapiens or Cannabis sativa. In summary, the method of HRM analysis can quickly and specifically distinguish P. cubensis from other species, which could be utilized for forensic science, medical diagnosis and drug trafficking cases. Supplemental data for this article are available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2021.1875580.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Zhang
- Department of Forensic Science, Medical School of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Department of Forensic Science, Medical School of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziwei Wang
- Department of Forensic Science, Medical School of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Forensic Science, Medical School of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruocheng Xia
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yiling Qu
- Department of Forensic Science, Medical School of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruiyang Tao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Suhua Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengtao Li
- Department of Forensic Science, Medical School of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai, China
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3
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A Forensic Detection Method for Hallucinogenic Mushrooms via High-Resolution Melting (HRM) Analysis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020199. [PMID: 33572950 PMCID: PMC7911181 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, trafficking and abuse of hallucinogenic mushrooms have become a serious social problem. It is therefore imperative to identify hallucinogenic mushrooms of the genus Psilocybe for national drug control legislation. An internal transcribed spacer (ITS) is a DNA barcoding tool utilized for species identification. Many methods have been used to discriminate the ITS region, but they are often limited by having a low resolution. In this study, we sought to analyze the ITS and its fragments, ITS1 and ITS2, by using high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis, which is a rapid and sensitive method for evaluating sequence variation within PCR amplicons. The ITS HRM assay was tested for specificity, reproducibility, sensitivity, and the capacity to analyze mixture samples. It was shown that the melting temperatures of the ITS, ITS1, and ITS2 of Psilocybe cubensis were 83.72 ± 0.01, 80.98 ± 0.06, and 83.46 ± 0.08 °C, and for other species, we also obtained species-specific results. Finally, we performed ITS sequencing to validate the presumptive taxonomic identity of our samples, and the sequencing output significantly supported our HRM data. Taken together, these results indicate that the HRM method can quickly distinguish the DNA barcoding of Psilocybe cubensis and other fungi, which can be utilized for drug trafficking cases and forensic science.
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Yamamuro T, Segawa H, Kuwayama K, Tsujikawa K, Kanamori T, Iwata YT. Rapid identification of drug-type and fiber-type cannabis by allele specific duplex PCR. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 318:110634. [PMID: 33278699 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is classified into two types: drug-type cannabis, which is abused worldwide, and fiber-type cannabis, which is used for industrial purposes. The two types are a result of differences in the sequences of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (THCAS) and cannabidiolic acid synthase (CBDAS) genes. In the present study, we aimed to establish a PCR-based method to distinguish between drug-type and fiber-type cannabis by detecting the differences in the sequences of THCAS and CBDAS. We constructed a single-plex PCR targeting active THCAS, and observed drug-type cannabis-specific amplification when using 10pg to 1ng of DNA; however, amplification was also observed in fiber-type cannabis when the DNA content reached 10ng. Similarly, single-plex PCR targeting active CBDAS showed fiber-type cannabis-specific amplification in 100pg of DNA, as well as in >1ng of drug-type cannabis DNA. Therefore, when an allele-specific duplex PCR system was constructed, in which both primer sets were mixed at an appropriate ratio, unintended nonspecific amplification was suppressed and amplicons of different sizes were observed between the drug-type and fiber-type cannabis, using DNA samples in the range of 1pg to 10ng. When the constructed duplex PCR was performed on DNA extracted from various cannabis seed samples, it was possible to distinguish between the drug-type and the fiber-type as well as detect a hybrid-type with both active THCAS and active CBDAS and a special type with neither. The identification method developed in the present study can quickly and accurately distinguish between drug-type and fiber-type cannabis, and is expected to be used for various purposes such as the detection of genetic contamination of industrial hemp as well as forensic examination of cannabis-related cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Yamamuro
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Segawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Kenji Kuwayama
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Kenji Tsujikawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Tatsuyuki Kanamori
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Yuko T Iwata
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
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5
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ITS barcoding using high resolution melting analysis of Cannabis sativa drug seizures in Chile: A forensic application. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 316:110550. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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6
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DNA testing of suspected cannabis samples with exceptional morphology using a simple detection kit. Forensic Toxicol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-020-00554-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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7
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Ryan AL, O’Hern CP, Elkins KM. Evaluation of Two New Methods for DNA Extraction of “Legal High” Plant Species. J Forensic Sci 2020; 65:1704-1708. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angelique L. Ryan
- Chemistry Department Forensic Science Program Towson University 8000 York Rd Towson MD21252
| | - Cassandra P. O’Hern
- Chemistry Department Forensic Science Program Towson University 8000 York Rd Towson MD21252
| | - Kelly M. Elkins
- Chemistry Department Forensic Science Program Towson University 8000 York Rd Towson MD21252
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8
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Jones NS, Comparin JH. Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:608-669. [PMID: 33385148 PMCID: PMC7770462 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Jones
- RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. Comparin
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, USA
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9
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Cowan AF, Elkins KM. Detection and Identification of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) by a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction High-Resolution Melt Duplex Assay . J Forensic Sci 2019; 65:52-60. [PMID: 31433500 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Mitragyna speciosa (MS), a plant commonly known as kratom, is a widely used "legal high" opiate alternative for pain relief. DNA extracted from MS and 26 additional plant species was amplified by PCR using primers targeting the strictosidine beta-D-glucosidase (SGD) and secologanin synthase 2 (SLS2) genes and detected by high-resolution melt curves using three intercalating dyes. Amplicon sizes were confirmed using agarose gel electrophoresis. The observed melt temperatures for SGD and SLS2 were 77.08 ± 0.38°C and 77.61 ± 0.46°C, respectively, using SYBR® Green I; 80.18 ± 0.27°C and 80.59 ± 0.08°C, respectively, using Radiant™ Green; and 82.19 ± 0.04°C and 82.62 ± 0.13°C, respectively, using the LCGreen® PLUS dye. The SLS2 primers demonstrated higher specificity and identified MS DNA at 0.05 ng/μL. In a duplex reaction, SLS2 and tetrahydrocannabinoic acid synthase gene primers detected and differentiated MS and Cannabis sativa (CS) by melt peaks at 82.63 ± 0.35°C and 85.58 ± 0.23°C, respectively, using LCGreen® PLUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley F Cowan
- Chemistry Department, Forensic Science Program, Towson University, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD, 21252
| | - Kelly M Elkins
- Chemistry Department, Forensic Science Program, Towson University, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD, 21252
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10
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Kiesel BD, Elkins KM. Development of a PCR High-Resolution Melt Assay for Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood) and a Triplex Assay with Two Additional "Unregulated Legal High" Species Datura stramonium (Jimson Weed) and Merremia tuberosa (Hawaiian Woodrose). J Forensic Sci 2019; 64:1817-1822. [PMID: 31157922 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood), a common ingredient in absinthe, contains the compound thujone, which is unregulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Thujone can cause an "unregulated legal high" in higher concentrations. The European Union limits thujone from Artemisia species to 35 mg/kg while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires less than 10 ppm to be "thujone-free." However, individuals can smoke or ingest A. absinthium in different forms. This study developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) high-resolution melt (HRM) assay to detect and identify A. absinthium based on primer specificity, sensitivity, repeatability, and robustness. A triplex assay was performed with three "unregulated legal high" species: Datura stramonium, Merremia tuberosa, and A. absinthium; the PCR HRM assay detected and identified each plant at melt temperatures 77.42 ± 0.20°C, 83.88 ± 0.22°C, and 87.77 ± 0.15°C, respectively. The primer set developed distinguished A. absinthium from a variety of plant species and was successfully triplexed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna D Kiesel
- Chemistry Department, Forensic Science Program, Towson University, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD, 21252
| | - Kelly M Elkins
- Chemistry Department, Forensic Science Program, Towson University, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD, 21252
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11
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McCord BR, Gauthier Q, Cho S, Roig MN, Gibson-Daw GC, Young B, Taglia F, Zapico SC, Mariot RF, Lee SB, Duncan G. Forensic DNA Analysis. Anal Chem 2019; 91:673-688. [PMID: 30485738 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce R McCord
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Quentin Gauthier
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Sohee Cho
- Department of Forensic Medicine , Seoul National University , Seoul , 08826 , South Korea
| | - Meghan N Roig
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Georgiana C Gibson-Daw
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Brian Young
- Niche Vision, Inc. , Akron , Ohio 44311 , United States
| | - Fabiana Taglia
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Sara C Zapico
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Roberta Fogliatto Mariot
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Steven B Lee
- Forensic Science Program, Justice Studies Department , San Jose State University , San Jose , California 95192 , United States
| | - George Duncan
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
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12
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Yamamuro T, Miyamoto S, Kitamura M, Muro T, Iwata YT, Segawa H, Kuwayama K, Tsujikawa K, Kanamori T, Inoue H. Development of simple and accurate detection systems for Cannabis sativa using DNA chromatography. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 291:68-75. [PMID: 30149281 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the need for analyzing cannabis DNA has increased in order to accommodate the various types of cannabis samples encountered in forensic investigation. This study was aimed to establish a simple and accurate cannabis DNA detection system using DNA chromatography. Two chromatography chip systems with different features were successfully developed. One system (the "four-line version") involves tetraplex PCR amplification, which could be used to detect cannabis DNA and distinguish between drug-type and fiber-type cannabis using the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase gene sequence. The other system was the "three-line version" with triplex amplification, which was specialized to distinguish cannabis from other plants, and had a sensitivity (10fg DNA/reaction) that was 100 times greater than the four-line version. In both versions, no false positives were observed for 60 medicinal plants, and accurate detection could be performed for several simulated forensic samples such as cannabis leaves, buds, stems, roots, seeds, resin, and cannabis leaves blended 1/100 in tobacco. Detection could be performed by the naked eye and only a thermal cycler was required for operation. Thus, DNA chromatography systems for cannabis detection are expected to contribute to the analysis of cannabis DNA in forensic chemistry laboratories without extensive equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Yamamuro
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Shigehiko Miyamoto
- Medical Devices Solutions Vehicle, Kaneka Corporation, 1-8 Miyamaemachi, Takasago-cho, Takasago, Hyogo 676-8688, Japan
| | - Masashi Kitamura
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ishikawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, 1-1 Kuratsuki, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8553, Japan
| | - Tomonori Muro
- Criminal Investigation Laboratory, Shimane Prefectural Police Headquarters, 1751-15 Heisei-cho, Matsue, Shimane 690-0038, Japan
| | - Yuko T Iwata
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Hiroki Segawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Kenji Kuwayama
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Kenji Tsujikawa
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Tatsuyuki Kanamori
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Inoue
- National Research Institute of Police Science, 6-3-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
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13
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Cowan AF, Elkins KM. Detection and Identification of Psilocybe cubensis DNA Using a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction High Resolution Melt Assay. J Forensic Sci 2017; 63:1500-1505. [PMID: 29194645 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Psilocybe cubensis, or "magic mushroom," is the most common species of fungus with psychedelic characteristics. Two primer sets were designed to target Psilocybe DNA using web-based software and NBCI gene sequences. DNA was extracted from eighteen samples, including twelve mushroom species, using the Qiagen DNeasy® Plant Mini Kit. The DNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primers and a master mix containing either a SYBR® Green I, Radiant™ Green, or LCGreen Plus® intercalating dye; amplicon size was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis. The PCR assays were tested for amplifiability, specificity, reproducibility, robustness, sensitivity, and multiplexing with primers that target marijuana. The observed high resolution melt (HRM) temperatures for primer sets 1 and 7 were 78.85 ± 0.31°C and 73.22 ± 0.61°C, respectively, using SYBR® Green I dye and 81.67 ± 0.06°C and 76.04 ± 0.11°C, respectively, using Radiant™ Green dye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley F Cowan
- Chemistry Department, Forensic Science Program, Towson University, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD, 21252
| | - Kelly M Elkins
- Chemistry Department, Forensic Science Program, Towson University, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD, 21252
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14
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Rapid and inexpensive species differentiation using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction high-resolution melt assay. Anal Biochem 2016; 500:15-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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