Advancing Insect Taxonomy and Biodiversity Research: A Comprehensive Review of DNA Barcoding and Non-Destructive DNA Extraction Techniques and Applications

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ABSTRACT

Infectious diseases are the primary concern for all mankind, and despite the discovery of antibiotics, the battle is still eminent due to the rise in antibiotic resistance, posing the need to develop feasible alternatives. Since plants proved to be sources of inspiration for novel drug compounds from their secondary metabolites, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of the crude extracts from the leaves of Tamarindus indica against selected pathogenic bacteria, as the plant is reported to have uncountable uses in traditional medicine. Maceration technique was employed for subsequent extraction of crude extracts using acetone and ethanol as solvents. Antibacterial activity of each crude extract was evaluated at a concentration of 100, 200 and 300 mg/ml through disk diffusion method. Tetracycline at 2.5 mg/ml and 1 ml of Tween 20 were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Through serial dilution starting from 300 to 4.6875 mg/ml, minimum inhibitory concentration was also determined. The findings indicated that both acetone and ethanol crude extract showed antibacterial activity at all concentrations on both S. aureus and K. pneumonia, being significantly different from the negative control (P = 0.00), and insignificantly different from the drug (P > 0.05). However, K. pneumoniae showed more sensitivity to the extracts than S. aureus. The MIC value of LAE on S. aureus and K. pneumoniae were 18.75 and 9.375 mg/ml, respectively, whereas on the LEE, both showed MIC value of 18.75 mg/ml. The outcomes of this study indicated that the leaves have antibacterial properties; however, further study on the mechanism of actions and other related properties is required for the safe use of this plant in relation to the health problems.

Significance of the Study:

This study underscores the transformative role of DNA barcoding in advancing insect taxonomy, enabling precise species identification and enhancing biodiversity monitoring. It highlights the importance of non-destructive DNA extraction methods, which allow for molecular analysis without compromising specimen integrity. Addressing current challenges in DNA barcoding can improve taxonomic accuracy, fostering better ecological research and informed conservation efforts, thus contributing to the preservation of insect biodiversity globally.

Summary of the Study:

This review explores the application of DNA barcoding in insect taxonomy, focusing on its role in species identification, biodiversity assessment, and ecological research. It examines advancements in non-destructive DNA extraction methods and the integration of next-generation sequencing, portable technologies, and AI. The study also addresses challenges such as database limitations and numts, offering insights into how these issues can be overcome to improve the reliability and effectiveness of DNA barcoding in entomology and conservation.