Assessing the Quality and Quantity of DNA Isolated from Coagulated Blood Samples Using Five Extraction Methods

Abstract

Blood DNA extraction is one of the vital steps in various DNA-based analyses. However, one of the challenges is processing clotted blood samples. Oftentimes these protocols are time consuming and use hazardous organic solvents. Many researchers have also resorted to commercial kits to circumvent the need to optimise different methods. However, manual methods may need to be employed due to cost consideration. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess various extraction methods to determine the best method that can provide DNA that has high quality, integrity, and purity, and the most time and cost-efficient method. Samples of coagulated and un-coagulated blood were collected and extracted using four published manual methods and a commercial kit. Analysis of the extracted DNA’s quality and quantity was done using gel electrophoresis and biophotometer. Among the methods compared, DNA extracted using a method proposed by Moradi et al. (2014) [1] was the best as it yields the best DNA in terms of quantity and purity, and the most time and cost effective.