L. Gusta, C. J. Weiser
Aug 1, 1971
Citations
0
Influential Citations
5
Citations
Journal
Phytochemistry
Abstract
Abstract Factors affecting the yield of the different classes of nucleic acids extracted from woody plant tissues were investigated using MAK chromatography. Sodium lauryl sulfate (2·0%) improved the yields of nucleic acids by 187 per cent. Shaking of the homogenate for 30 min increased yields an additional 40 per cent, probably by allowing sodium lauryl sulfate to more effectively dissociate nucleic acids from protein and membranes. In Korean boxwood leaves, the addition of phenol before the liberation of nucleic acids by sodium lauryl sulfate reduced yields of DNA and r-RNA. Lyophilization of tissues permitted the use of dry grindign techniques which improved cell breakage and increased yields of nucleic acids. Nucleic acid degradation during lyophilization, due to the thick tissue cuticle which prevented evaporative cooling, was minimized by maintaining the sample at −20° during drying. Precipitation of nucleic acids from dogwood bark with 2-ethoxyethanol at 0–4° improved MAK separation by eliminating interfering substances which competed with nucleic acids for binding sites on the MAK column. Degradation of precipitated nucleic acids by sodium lauryl sulfate was prevented by removing it with ether prior to precipitation.