Comparative analysis of four DNA Extraction Methods from Glycine max

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction is a key step in molecular biology as it precedes all downstream processes, including DNA sequencing and genetic analysis. These processes require DNA of good quality and sufficient quantities. Vast methods of DNA extraction are available. In the current study, we extracted DNA from Glycine max, commonly known as Soybean, using four DNA extraction methods to determine the most suitable method based on the quantity and quality of the DNA extracted. An experimental research design was used. Four DNA extraction methods were investigated: Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB), modified CTAB (MCTAB), Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS), and the Nucleon Phyto pure plant DNA extraction kit. Fifteen samples were used for each extraction method. The agarose gel electrophoresis was used to assess the purity of the extracted DNA samples, whereas a Nanodrop spectrophotometer was used to determine the quality of the extracted DNA concentration. High-quality DNA is expected to have an A260/280 ratio of between 1.8 and 2.0. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by R version 3.6.2 was used to analyze the data collected. Fisher LSD (least significance difference) was done to distinguish the means of DNA concentration produced by different extraction methods. It was observed that the extraction method determined the quality and quantity of the DNA yield. The higher DNA concentration extracted, the lower the purity, and vice versa. The MCTAB produced the highest purity of yield, while the SDS had higher concentrations of DNA in comparison to the other methods used during the study. The most recommended method for DNA extraction from soybean samples is CTAB for the high quality and equally high yield. It is also cheaper when dealing with large samples and more affordable than the kit, and can be used widely due to its modification flexibility.