These theoretically optimal barcodes were tested on a range of species throughout the family and were found to amplify and differentiate genera and, in some cases, species. This approach yielded hitherto unexploited regions of variability. Our computation pipeline identified regions of high variability that were flanked by highly conserved regions used for primer design. We used whole plastome alignment information to develop DNA barcodes that would maximize the ability to differentiate species within the Zingiberaceae. Portions of this expansion appear to be shared across the entire Zingiberales order, which includes gingers and bananas. Generally, the structure of these genomes is similar to the basal angiosperm excepting an expansion of 3 kb associated with the inverted repeat A region.

To facilitate precise characterization of this group, we have sequenced chloroplast genomes from species representing five major groups within Zingiberaceae. Species identification within this group is critical in the search for known and possibly novel bioactive compounds. Plants from the Zingiberaceae family are a key source of spices and herbal medicines.

Bushes gene sequence definition