Env Exp Biol (2013) 11: 69–71

DNA isolation from fresh leaf tissue of Tylophora indica and Bacopa monnieri

Abstract

Tylophora indica and Bacopa monnieri are two important medicinal plants containing several secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical value. To understand the biosynthetic pathways of these metabolites, molecular studies will be helpful. A prerequisite for these studies is good quality DNA that is free of contaminants. A number of DNA extraction protocols are available, but many of them require expensive and harmful chemicals. Thus, a protocol was developed to isolate genomic DNA from fresh leaf tissue of these plant species using minimum chemicals. The quantity of the isolated DNA was found to be 6200 µg mL^–1 and 4925 µg mL^–1 for T. indica and B. monnieri, respectively, with their A260/280 ratios ~1.80. For both, the sample A260/230 ratios were ~2.0 and A260/270 ratios were ~1.2. Spectroscopic analysis, agarose gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction revealed that the isolated DNA was suitable for carrying out genomic studies.