NCJ Number
241115
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2013 Pages: 189-193
Date Published
January 2013
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The authors describe a simple DNA technique, polymerase chain reaction of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit (rbcL) gene, that can distinguish S. divinorum leaf pieces from pieces of tobacco or cannabis.
Abstract
Salvia divinorum (diviner's sage) is a plant in the mint family that produces an hallucinogenic compound, salvinorin A. The plant is used, often by chewing or smoking, as a "recreational" drug source and is regulated or banned in several States and countries. The authors describe a simple DNA technique, polymerase chain reaction of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit (rbcL) gene, that can distinguish S. divinorum leaf pieces from pieces of tobacco or cannabis. The study also found DNA sequences adjacent to the chloroplast leucine transfer RNA (trnL) gene that are specific to S. divinorum and distinguish it from other horticulturally popular Salvia species. This article reports some significant differences between the S. divinorum trnL sequences determined and those now published in GenBank. (Published Abstract)