Evaluation and Application of an Efficient Plant DNA Extraction Protocol in Laboratory and Field Testing

Abstract Background CTAB has been considered as the standard protocol for DNA extraction. But the complex and time-consuming procedures can’t meet the needs of rapid molecular identification. The method of using cellulose filter paper strips to transfer the DNA in the plant tissue lysate to the nucleic acid amplification system shortening the DNA extraction time to 30 s. However, cellulose filter paper strips have some shortcomings that cannot be put into widespread use. And the data supporting the rapidly purification of DNA by cellulose filter paper is not sufficient.ResultsIn the study, the published filter paper strip was modified by sticking the filter paper on the PVC sheet. This modified method is named EZ-D, for easy DNA extraction. Compared with the original method, the DNA extracted by EZ-D is more efficient in PCR amplification. We also came up with a new DNA extraction buffer, which exhibited higher DNA extraction efficiency. When compared with classic CTAB, EZ-D also showed great advantages for higher efficiency, easier protocol and lower cost. PCR analyses showed that DNA extracted from several types of plants by EZ-D were appropriate for specific identification of biological samples. PCR using DNA extracted by EZ-D was sensitive enough to detect 0.1 ng/μL. Evaluation of the EZ-D showed that the DNA extracts can be successfully amplified by PCR reaction for the DNA fragments up to 3000 bp in length and up to 80% in GC content. EZ-D was successfully used for DNA extraction from a variety of plant species and plant tissues. Moreover, when EZ-D was combined with the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method, DNA identification of biological samples could be achieved in an equipment-free way. Conclusion Combined with DNA amplification technology, EZ-D protocol is a rapid, specific and sensitive method for molecular identification of plant samples. In addition, EZ-D method is the first application of cellulose filter paper in the identification of genetically modified crops and traditional Chinese medicine ultra-fine powder. In terms of practicability, EZ-D has realized the popularization of cellulose filter paper for rapid DNA purification in laboratories and markets.