Rapid and Efficient DNA Extraction Protocol from Peruvian Native Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) Lambayeque, Peru

Efficient extraction of high-quality DNA from plants is a critical challenge in molecular research, especially in species such as <i>Gossypium barbadense</i> L., native to Peru, due to the presence of inhibitors such as polysaccharides and phenolic compounds. This study presents a modified CTAB-based protocol with silica columns that is designed to overcome these limitations without the need for liquid nitrogen or expensive reagents. Native cotton samples were collected in Lambayeque, Peru, and processed using a simplified procedure that optimizes the purity and concentration of the extracted DNA. Eight cultivars of <i>G. barbadense</i> L. with colored fibers (cream, fifo, light brown, dark brown, orange-brown, reddish, fine reddish, and white) were evaluated, yielding DNA with A260/A280 ratios between 2.14 and 2.19 and A260/A230 ratios between 1.8 and 3.14; these values are higher than those obtained with the classical CTAB method. DNA quality was validated by PCR amplification using ISSR and RAPD molecular markers, which yielded clear and well-defined banding patterns. Furthermore, the extracted DNA was suitable for advanced applications, such as Sanger sequencing, by which high-quality electropherograms were obtained. The results demonstrate that the proposed protocol is an efficient, economical, and adaptable alternative for laboratories with limited resources, allowing the extraction of high-quality DNA from <i>Gossypium barbadense</i> L. and other plant species. This simplified approach facilitates the development of genetic and biotechnological research, contributing to the knowledge and valorization of the genetic resources of Peruvian native cotton.