Hyderabad: Scientists at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology have identified the biomarker for red Sanders which could help in the government's fight against illegal trade of wood.
While red Ssanders smuggled in the log form can be identified easily, it becomes difficult to detect if it is being smuggled in powdered, liquid or medicinal forms. A biomarker is an identifying characteristic which is derived by conducting experiments after obtaining the DNA of a species.
The discovery of the red sanders biomarker was announced at a workshop on medicinal plants conducted at the CCMB. Principal scientist Dr Sunil Kumar Verma who identified the biomarker stressed the need for extending the exercise to conserve India’s medicinal plant wealth which is fast declining.
