OBJECTIVETo develop a convenient and effective method for the identification of Bungarus multicinctus.

METHODBased on the sequence of Cyt b gene fragment of B. multicinctus and its adulterants, a pair of highly specific primer (HJL- and HJH-) were designed for distinguishing B. ulticinctus from other species of snake. To establish specific PCR reaction condition, the primers were employed to amplify the DNA templates extracted from B. multicinctus and 6 other species of snake, under different annealing temperature. Using this method, B. multicinctus was identified from 18 samples bought from many drugstores.

RESULTA 230 bp DNA fragment was amplified from B. multicinctus in PCR with annealed temperature at 67 degrees C, whereas no DNA fragment was amplified from other snake samples under the same reaction condition, B. multicinctus could be clearly distinguished from others by PCR reaction with the highly specific primers. In the present study, 18 sample, bought from different drugstores, were also identified by the highly specific PCR with the primers. The results indicated that 14 samples were B. multicinctus and the other 4 were adulterant, which was consistent with the conclusion of authentication based on morphological.

CONCLUSIONThe primers designed in the present study were highly specific for B. multicinctus.