Asad Zaidi, Omer Moin, Farhat Abbas Bhatti.
Comparison of methods for DNA extraction in a low cost laboratory setting for developing countries.
Pak J Pathol Jan ;19(1):6-11.

Objective: To analyze three different methods of DNA extraction from whole blood and recommend the best method for a low-cost laboratory. Design: Analytical study. Place and duration: The study was carried out at the Department of Pathology, PNS Shifa, Karachi, Pakistan from July 2007 to September 2007. Materials and methods: DNA was extracted according to the Gentra Kit, Phenol and Salt Extraction methods from 60 different whole blood samples and the optical densities of the extracted DNA were measured. The results were also compared based on a PCR assay using type specific primers. The cost and the time factor involved were also calculated. Results: The samples using the Phenol method yielded highest optical densities and purity of DNA but required more time and labour, at a cost of Rs. 20 per sample. The Gentra Kit method had lower optical densities and cost Rs.70 per sample. The Salt Extraction method had similar optical densities to the Gentra Kit method and required comparatively less time and labour than the Phenol Method, at a cost of Rs.10 per sample. All the methods produced electrophoresis bands of similar quality and clarity. Conclusion: Salt extraction is the best routine method for a minimum cost laboratory in Pakistan. The Phenol method gave the highest yields of DNA, however, it was labor intensive and involves the use of hazardous solutions and should be used for tissue sampling and under certain conditions where low quantity of DNA is available. The Gentra Kit method was expensive and did not produce better results.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com