DNA traceability of oakwood: species & geographic origin – OAKTRACK

A first objective of this project is to validate molecular markers previously identified to identify oak trees to the species level and to source oak wood lots used by the barrel industry. A second one is to make these markers available to all interested end-users. Hence, it will become possible by the industry to control the wood to be sold or purchased. Close to the source, this involves forest managers that grow oak trees and sell their wood, and at the other extremity, winemakers that use oakwood to age their wines and alcohols. The French National Forest Office and the managers of private forests will be able to certify the conformity of the logs they sell, by using independent and incorruptible evidence provided by DNA testing. In addition, the molecular tools will allow oenologists to optimize wine and alcohols maturation, by better controlling the aromatic composition of the wood, which strongly depends on the oak species used and partly on its geographic origin. The work implies the validation, in an industrial context, of the results obtained during the last years in our lab using genetic characterization of DNA isolated from dry wood. A single test will be designed that combines markers useful for the diagnostic of species and of geographic origin. This test will be adapted to two circumstances, depending on whether the wood to be studied is obtained from oak logs (limited degradation of DNA) or from oak staves (highly degraded DNA, requiring a more sophisticated procedure). In the course of the project, the validated tools will be transferred to a company providing genotyping services to end-users.