Morphological, anatomical and molecular characterisation of the leaves of Isoberlinia doka Craib and Stapf and Isoberlinia tomentosa (Harms) Craib and Stapf

Background: Isoberlinia (Craib and Stapf) is a genus with high economic pharmacological values. Aim: This study aimed at establishing the morphological, anatomical molecular characterisation of leaves I. doka tomentosa, which were conducted for proper authentication. Setting: The tomentosa obtained from Shika, kaduna State, Nigeria. Method: Morphological characters determined according to standard procedures, while identifications performed using ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcl) gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA barcode’s region. Result: studies revealed similar features both species except shiny rough abaxial surfaces because presence trichomes. Variations observed in their epidermal features, stomatal index, stomata frequency, or absence trichomes, trichomes frequency quantitative features. quantity quality measured A260/280 ratio nanodrop spectrophotometer 29.1 ng/μL 1.74 , respectively, concentration purity 71.1 1.85 ng/μL, respectively. Agarose gel electrophoresis two bands 700 bp 600 (ITS). sequence analysis maximum identity National Centre Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GeneBank species. Evolutionary supported monophyletic origin . morphological have provided significant taxonomy tool authentication this plant. Conclusion: findings ascertained that ITS rbcl served as an improved efficient identification these studied could serve potential barcodes taxa. Contribution: article suggests further on screening plants, various potentials, might be useful new drug development.