Ensuring Consumer Safety: Molecular Authentication of Eurycoma longifolia Derivative Products in the Wood Science and Technology Industry

Eurycoma longifolia (pasak bumi) is a popular medicinal plant in Indonesia and is widely used in various products. Its high economic value has caused illegal harvesting and product falsification. Using molecular techniques, the authentication and traceability of E. longifolia derivatives can be controlled to ensure consumer safety. Therefore, this study aimed to authenticate the products and derivatives of E. longifolia (pasak bumi) produced, marketed, and consumed in Indonesia using molecular identification techniques. Genomic DNA from 37 leaf samples collected from the Sumatran mainland and the Riau Islands and six E. longifolia products were amplified and sequenced using trnL-trnF and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The results revealed that all leaf samples were indeed E. longifolia based on the markers used, with the six products, only the herbal tea product (sample code TCPB) was most likely derived from E. longifolia based on the two regions, suggesting that not all products labelled as E. longifolia in the market are authentic. The results also indicated that several other plants species are used as substitutes or adulterants, including Simaba spp., Simarouba spp., Homalolepis spp., Vernonia gigantea, Elephantopus scaber, Gymnanthemum amygdalinum, Cyanthillium spp., Potentilla lineata, Ailanthus altissima, Geijera paniculata, Hannoa chlorantha, and Dalbergia spp. Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria were also identified in this study on the outer wooden cup of E. longifolia products. Therefore, this molecular approach is effective in identifying the authenticity of E. longifolia products, with trnL-trnF and ITS as the recommended DNA markers.