title: Rapid method for direct extraction of DNA from soil and sediments.
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.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Design and Analysis, Program in Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine 92717.
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000235:genetics; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012987:Soil; D012260:Ribonucleases; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes