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. 1991 Apr;57(4):1070–1074. doi: 10.1128/aem.57.4.1070-1074.1991

Rapid method for direct extraction of DNA from soil and sediments.

Y L Tsai 1, B H Olson 1
PMCID: PMC182847  PMID: 1647749

Abstract

A rapid method for the direct extraction of DNA from soil and sediments was developed. The indigenous microorganisms in the soil and sediments were lysed by using lysozyme and a freeze-thaw procedure. The lysate was extracted with sodium dodecyl sulfate and phenol-chloroform. In addition to a high recovery efficiency (greater than 90%), the yields of DNA were high (38 and 12 micrograms/g [wet weight] from sediments and soil, respectively). This method generated minimal shearing of the extracted DNA. The crude DNA could be further purified with an Elutip-d column if necessary. An additional advantage of this method is that only 1 g of sample is required, which allows for the analysis of small samples and the processing of many samples in a relatively short (7 h) period.

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Selected References

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