Harnessing Molecular Phylogeny and Chemometrics for Taxonomic Validation of Korean Aromatic Plants: Integrating Genomics with Practical Applications

Abstract

Plant genetics and chemotaxonomic analysis are considered key parameters in understanding evolution, plant diversity and adaptation. Korean Peninsula has a unique biogeographical landscape that supports various aromatic plant species, each with considerable ecological, ethnobotanical, and pharmacological significance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemotaxonomic traits, biological activities, phylogenetic relationships and potential applications of Korean aromatic plants, highlighting their significance in more accurate identification. Chemotaxonomic investigations employing techniques such as gas chromatography mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy have enabled the identification of essential oils and specialized metabolites that serve as valuable taxonomic and diagnostic markers. These chemical traits play essential roles in species delimitation and in clarifying interspecific variation. The biological activities of selected taxa are reviewed, with emphasis on antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects, supported by bioassay-guided fractionation and compound isolation. In parallel, recent advances in phylogenetic reconstruction employing DNA barcoding, internal transcribed spacer regions, and chloroplast genes such as rbcL and matK are examined for their role in clarifying taxonomic uncertainties and inferring evolutionary lineages. Overall, the search period was from year 2001 to 2025 and total of 268 records were included in the study. By integrating phytochemical profiling, pharmacological evidence, and molecular systematics, this review highlights the multifaceted significance of Korean endemic aromatic plants. The conclusion highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches including metabolomics and phylogenomics in advancing our understanding of species diversity, evolutionary adaptation, and potential applications. Future research directions are proposed to support conservation efforts.

Keywords: DNA barcoding; aromatic; chemotaxonomy; endemic plants; molecular phylogenetics.

Figure 1

PRISMA based study selection.

Figure 2

Korean map showing hotspots of endemic aromatic plants across key islands and mountain ranges.

Figure 3

Representative classes of chemotaxonomic marker compounds associated with respective plant families.

Figure 4

Overview of essential oil-containing plants used as chemotaxonomic markers from extraction to phytochemical analysis and applications.

Figure 5

Overview of pharmacological properties of Korean aromatic plants.

Figure 6

Challenges in integrating molecular phylogenetic analysis with chemotaxonomic evaluation of aromatic plants.