Authentication of ssp. and ssp. Based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism at Ribosomal DNA and Their Vitamin Content Analysis.

widely known as sea buckthorn berries (SB) are rich in vitamins and phytonutrients. The subspecies ssp. and ssp. are highly valued for their medicinal properties and vitamin contents, hence domesticated widely across Eurasia and Southeast Asia. Due to the frequent usage of these two subspecies, accurate identification is required to prevent economically motivated adulteration. In this study, we report the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based molecular markers to easily distinguish these two subspecies at 45S nrDNA region. From the determined 45S rDNA region, we designed two primers (5' sinensis and 5' ) and developed a multiplex PCR profile. The developed primers effectively distinguished the sea buckthorn subspecies in commercial products as well. Along with the development of subspecies specific primers, we have profiled vitamin contents from ssp. and ssp. and found ascorbic acid and riboflavin contents were high in both ssp. and spp. , yet the content of folic acid was high only in ssp. . Thus, we provide species specific primers and vitamin profile as an effective authentication of .