Every animal in the world, including humans, leaves different traces of it. They are also such remnants DNA strandsWhich falls, among other things, in saliva or in dead skin cells.
These kinds of traces are also left behind invertebratesincluding fresh-lived snails, insects and spiders tea leaves.
Latest search results just appeared in Scientific articlepublished in Biology Letters. Scientists have discovered DNA fragments and traces from about 1,200 different species of invertebrates In only 40 samples Commercially produced dried teas and herbs sold in German grocery stores.
together Scientists found traces of 3,264 invertebrates in tea bags, including predators, herbivores, and parasites. These were traces of DNA, incl. Spiders, cockroaches, butterflies, moths, mantis and flies.
Therefore, dried tea leaves, mint and other herbs are ground got The animals are mixed from all over the field where the crops are grown and spread over the whole group. According to the researchers, it is likely that some whole worms and their eggs were also ground together with the previously collected plants.
With this search, you can determine where the plants are grown and learn about them as well Invertebrate biodiversity in your area.
As we read in the article: “Our data also reveals Geographical origin plant samples. For example, many tea mint arthropods are native to the Pacific Northwest, the main mint growing region, while typical East Asian species are only found in Green tea. “
Research can be very useful because it allows for some detail, (indirect) environmental monitoring from all over the world.
“The dried plant matter appears to be well suited as a new tool for monitoring arthropods and arthropods interactions with plants, Detection of agricultural pests and determining the geographical origin of the imported plant material,” the team wrote in their article.
These analyzes can be used “for regulatory purposes, for example to trace the source of illegal plant materials seized by customs”.
In addition, regular testing will enable pests to be detected long before an outbreak “epidemic“In a certain region of the world. Analytics also allow for it Detecting pests in warehousesSo that the harvest is saved from destruction.
