Comparison of Some Plant DNA Extraction Methods

Abstract

DNA isolation is a routine procedure when performed in laboratory environment, yet in the field it may still remain problematic. This is especially true of some crop species bred for useful metabolites that may also hinder DNA extraction. Here we compare the efficiency of DNA extraction protocols and commercial DNA isolation kits when used on samples from Helianthus and Allium. Since extraction of DNA is known to be compromised by co-extraction of PCR-inhibiting metabolites, the isolation of DNA was followed by PCR as a testing procedure for the isolation step. The MagnoPrime Fact and MagnoPrime Uni DNA isolation kits were better suited for field work due to faster processing times and smaller required amount of starting material (20 mg fresh/0.5 mg dry). In all cases the subsequent PCR managed to amplify the DNA fragments of interest well enough to be useful in further research.