Molecular Authentication of Indian Sandalwood (Santalum album) and Its Commercial Substitute Gmelina arborea Using trnH–psbA DNA Barcoding

The demand for Santalum album (Indian sandalwood) has risen dramatically in recent decades, resulting in widespread and unsustainable harvesting. Due to its scarcity and high economic value, many manufacturers and traders substitute other timber species, such as Gmelina arborea, which may visually resemble sandalwood but differ greatly in aroma, density, and chemical composition. Such substitutions reduce product quality and mislead consumers and also undermine conservation initiatives aimed at protecting authentic sandalwood resources. Traditional identification methods including morphological observation, anatomical characterization, and chemical profiling are effective for raw wood but lose reliability when the material is processed into powders or carvings, where diagnostic features are masked or destroyed. To overcome these limitations, molecular tools, particularly DNA fingerprinting and DNA barcoding, have emerged as powerful alternatives for species authentication. This study used the trnH–psbA intergenic spacer to confirm the genetic identity of S. album and to distinguish it from Gmelina arborea, a common substitute in commercial markets. DNA sequence analysis revealed clear genetic separation between the two species, despite their similar appearance. The S. album sequences obtained showed a 100% match with reference accessions in GenBank, validating the accuracy of the identification and the reliability of the marker. Similarly, G. arborea sample grouped closely with published Gmelina sequences in the phylogenetic tree, confirming their correct classification. The findings highlight the importance of integrating DNA-based identification into standard quality assurance protocols to protect endangered S. album populations and to strengthen traceability and transparency in the global sandalwood market.

@article{sabina2026,
  author  = {Sabina Shirsekar* and Mahavir Gosavi},
  title   = {{Molecular Authentication of Indian Sandalwood (Santalum album) and Its Commercial Substitute Gmelina arborea Using trnH–psbA DNA Barcoding}},
  journal = {Journal of Bioresearch},
  year    = {2026},
  volume  = {5},
  number  = {2},
  pages   = {29-35},
  doi     = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18800571},
}