Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and variation of essential oil components of Atractylodes plants.

Total DNAs were prepared from the leaves of Atractylodes lancea DE CANDOLLE, A. chinensis KOIDZUMI, A. lancea var. simplicifolia KITAMURA, A. japonica KOIDZUMI ex KITAMURA and A. ovata DE CANDOLLE. The DNAs were subjected to random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Some primers showed the definitive polymorphic DNA patterns in A. lancea, A. japonica and A. ovata. The RAPD of A. lancea var. simplicifolia and one of A. chinensis gave similar patterns to those of A. lancea, but one of the other A. chinensis gave a similar pattern to A. japonica. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of atractylon, hinesol, beta-eudesmol and atractylodin in the rhizomes was done using gas chromatography. Though atractylon was detected not only in A. japonica and A. ovata but also in some of A. lancea, their RAPD profiles revealed the presence of intraspecific variation with A. lancea.