Project:

Spice up your life: Authenticating Spices and Herbs through DNA Barcoding

Students:

Mahesa Miah, Sirazam Munira

Institution:

Bronx Community College,

Mentors:

Raffaella Diotti

Abstract:

Herbs and spices have been employed for their therapeutic and medical effects, as well as their flavoring abilities by many cultures across the world, as they contain essential nutritional components. In the distant past, these products were important enough to initiate wars, and today they still can be costly depending on their purported use. Many studies have shown the various health benefits of spices. In this study, we will be using DNA barcoding to analyze herbs and spices found in conventional markets and in health stores in New York City neighborhoods to determine if the products sold correspond to the label or if other less valuable products have been added. We will then use DNA subway, BLAST, and EUGENE for data analysis.

Poster:

Team samples: