DNA Extraction from Fruit

Introduction

• Presenter: Olympia Davison
• Location: DNA Learning Center
• Purpose: Demonstrate how to extract DNA from fruit at home.
• Importance of DNA Extraction:
  • Scientists use DNA as a blueprint for organisms.
  • Doctors use DNA for screening genetic mutations or diseases.

Materials Needed

1. Fruit: Strawberries, raspberries, or bananas.
2. Knife: For cutting the fruit.
3. Plastic Bag: Preferably with a zip lock to contain the fruit pulp.
4. Scissors: To cut the corner of the plastic bag.
5. Plant Soap Buffer: A mix of detergent, water, and a pinch of salt.
6. Pipette: Or an eyedropper/turkey baster as alternatives.
7. Plastic Cups/Test Tubes: For holding the plant sample.
8. Coffee Paper: To separate DNA liquid from fruit pulp.
9. Cup/Bowl for Water Bath: Helps in lysing cells.
10. Thermometer: Turkey thermometer can be used.
11. Ethanol: For precipitating DNA.
12. Plastic Loop: Or alternatives like a tongue depressor or popsicle stick.
13. Sharpie Pen: To label samples.
14. Rack/Bowl: To prevent spillage.

Procedure

Initial Preparation

• Fruit Preparation:
  • Cut fruits into small pieces and place them in the plastic bag.
  • Smush the fruit to break open the cells.
• Setup:
  • Cut a corner of the plastic bag and pour the fruit liquid into a test tube until it is 3/4 full.
  • Add 5 ml of plant soap buffer to the test tube.

Mixing and Heating

• Mix the Sample:
  • Secure the cap and shake well for 30 seconds to 1 minute to break the nuclear membrane.
• Water Bath:
  • Heat water to 60°C and immerse the test tube for 5-10 minutes.

Filtering and Precipitating DNA

• Filter the Pulp:
  • Use coffee paper to separate solid pulp from the DNA liquid.
  • Squeeze the coffee paper to speed up filtering.
• Transfer to Test Tube:
  • Pour the filtered liquid back into the test tube.

Ethanol Addition

• Add Ethanol:
  • Use a pipette to slowly add 5 ml of ethanol at a 45-degree angle.
  • Ensure ethanol sits on top without mixing.

DNA Extraction

• Observe DNA Formation:
  • DNA will appear as a stringy, bubbly substance at the top.
• Retrieve DNA:
  • Use a loop or alternative to extract DNA from the mixture.

Conclusion

• Congratulations on successfully extracting DNA from strawberry.
• For more information or videos, refer to the provided links.