A rapid nucleic acid solution concentration technique using N2 flushing

Abstract

A rapid, inexpensive and efficient nucleic acid solution concentration method is described. The volume of the solution was reduced and the concentration of the nucleic acids in the solution increased by flushing the solution with nitrogen gas at the flow of 2-3 l/minute. The method was compared with the commonly used precipitation technique and a similar efficiency was established for both methods, the flushing technique being however faster. The quality of the nucleic acids did not change during the concentration procedure which was proved by successful endonuclease restriction of the material and PCR amplification of specific genes from it. Using these technique the volume of a DNA solution can be reduced from 300 m l to 100 m l in 35 minutes without any substantial DNA losses.