Abstract:
The quality and quantity of DNA extracted from three soil types
using two nucleic acid extraction procedures based on the method
developed by Orsini and Romano-Spica in 2001 were compared and the
extracted DNA’ suitability to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was
determined. The first DNA extraction method utilized a microwave, while
the second one used a water-bath. The extracted DNA was subjected to
spectrophotometric analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis. The DNA
polymerase activity was tested by PCR amplification. DNA was recovered
from the soil samples using the two methods and these were suitable for
PCR. The microwave-based method, however, obtained less sheared DNA
due to its heat-shock treatment. Based on the results, there were no
apparent differences in the quantity and purity of the DNA extracted by
the water-bath and microwave-based methods which could be attributed to
the use of the same solutions used and similar physical lysis principle.
