Optimizing techniques to capture and extract environmental DNA for detection and quantification of fish

Few studies have examined capture and extraction methods for environmental DNA (eDNA) to identify techniques optimal for detection and quantification. In this study, precipitation, centrifugation and filtration eDNA capture methods and six commercially available DNA extraction kits were evaluated for their ability to detect and quantify common carp (Cyprinus carpio) mitochondrial DNA using quantitative PCR in a series of laboratory experiments. Filtration methods yielded the most carp eDNA, and a glass fibre (GF) filter performed better than a similar pore size polycarbonate (PC) filter. Smaller pore sized filters had higher regression slopes of biomass to eDNA, indicating that they were potentially more sensitive to changes in biomass. Comparison of DNA extraction kits showed that the MP Biomedicals FastDNA SPIN Kit yielded the most carp eDNA and was the most sensitive for detection purposes, despite minor inhibition. The MoBio PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit had the lowest coefficient of variation in extraction efficiency between lake and well water and had no detectable inhibition, making it most suitable for comparisons across aquatic environments. Of the methods tested, we recommend using a 1.5 μm GF filter, followed by extraction with the MP Biomedicals FastDNA SPIN Kit for detection. For quantification of eDNA, filtration through a 0.2–0.6 μm pore size PC filter, followed by extraction with MoBio PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit was optimal. These results are broadly applicable for laboratory studies on carps and potentially other cyprinids. The recommendations can also be used to inform choice of methodology for field studies.     

An evaluation of commercial DNA extraction kits for the isolation of bacterial spore DNA from soil

Aims: To evaluate six commercial DNA extraction kits for their ability to isolate PCR‐quality DNA from Bacillus spores in various soil samples. Methods and Results: Three soils were inoculated with various amounts of Bacillus cereus spores to simulate an outbreak or intentional release of the threat agent Bacillus anthracis. DNA was isolated from soil samples using six commercial DNA extraction kits. Extraction and purification efficiencies were assessed using a duplex real‐time PCR assay that included an internal positive control. The FastDNA^® SPIN kit for Soil showed the highest DNA extraction yield, while the E.Z.N.A.^® Soil DNA and PowerSoil^® DNA Isolation kits showed the highest efficiencies in removing PCR inhibitors from loam soil extracts. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that commercially available extraction kits can be used to extract PCR‐quality DNA from bacterial spores in soil. The selection of an appropriate extraction kit should depend on the characteristics of the soil sample and the intended downstream application. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of this study aid in the selection of an appropriate DNA extraction kit for a given soil sample. Its application could expedite sample processing for real‐time PCR detection of a pathogen in soil.     

Nonlinear electrophoresis for purification of soil DNA for metagenomics

Purification of microbial DNA from soil is challenging due to the co-extraction of humic acids and associated phenolic compounds that inhibit subsequent cloning, amplification or sequencing. Removal of these contaminants is critical for the success of metagenomic library construction and high-throughput sequencing of extracted DNA. Using three different composite soil samples, we compared a novel DNA purification technique using nonlinear electrophoresis on the synchronous coefficient of drag alteration (SCODA) instrument with alternate purification methods such as direct current (DC) agarose gel electrophoresis followed by gel filtration or anion exchange chromatography, Wizard DNA Clean-Up System, and the PowerSoil DNA Isolation kit. Both nonlinear and DC electrophoresis were effective at retrieving high-molecular weight DNA with high purity, suitable for construction of large-insert libraries. The PowerSoil DNA Isolation kit and the nonlinear electrophoresis had high recovery of high purity DNA suitable for sequencing purposes. All methods demonstrated high consistency in the bacterial community profiles generated from the DNA extracts. Nonlinear electrophoresis using the SCODA instrument was the ideal methodology for the preparation of soil DNA samples suitable for both high-throughput sequencing and large-insert cloning applications.     

Biases during DNA extraction of activated sludge samples revealed by high throughput sequencing

Standardization of DNA extraction is a fundamental issue of fidelity and comparability in investigations of environmental microbial communities. Commercial kits for soil or feces are often adopted for studies of activated sludge because of a lack of specific kits, but they have never been evaluated regarding their effectiveness and potential biases based on high throughput sequencing. In this study, seven common DNA extraction kits were evaluated, based on not only yield/purity but also sequencing results, using two activated sludge samples (two sub-samples each, i.e. ethanol-fixed and fresh, as-is). The results indicate that the bead-beating step is necessary for DNA extraction from activated sludge. The two kits without the bead-beating step yielded very low amounts of DNA, and the least abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and significantly underestimated the Gram-positive Actinobacteria, Nitrospirae, Chloroflexi, and Alphaproteobacteria and overestimated Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and the rare phyla whose cell walls might have been readily broken. Among the other five kits, FastDNA^@ SPIN Kit for Soil extracted the most and the purest DNA. Although the number of total OTUs obtained using this kit was not the highest, the abundant OTUs and abundance of Actinobacteria demonstrated its efficiency. The three MoBio kits and one ZR kit produced fair results, but had a relatively low DNA yield and/or less Actinobacteria-related sequences. Moreover, the 50 % ethanol fixation increased the DNA yield, but did not change the sequenced microbial community in a significant way. Based on the present study, the FastDNA SPIN kit for Soil is recommended for DNA extraction of activated sludge samples. More importantly, the selection of the DNA extraction kit must be done carefully if the samples contain dominant lysing-resistant groups, such as Actinobacteria and Nitrospirae.     

Convenient determination of DNA extraction efficiency using an external DNA recovery standard and quantitative-competitive PCR

Molecular biology techniques have advanced the field of microbial ecology through the analysis of nucleic acids. Most techniques that use DNA or RNA require their extraction from environmental matrices, which can be tedious and inefficient. While a number of extraction methods, both laboratory-based and commercially available, have been developed, none of these include a convenient method to determine extraction efficiency. We have developed an external DNA recovery standard, Lambda DNA (target DNA) contained within pBR322, allowing routine determinations of DNA recovery efficiency. Target DNA was added to sediments as whole cells, total DNA extracted using commercial DNA extraction/purification kits and the amount of target DNA recovered quantified by quantitative-competitive PCR (QC-PCR). Three commercially available kits (UltraClean Soil DNA, FastDNA SPIN and Soil Master DNA Extraction) were evaluated for recovery efficiency. Recoveries for the three kits ranged from undetectable to 43.3% with average recoveries of 14.9+/-16.0%, 28.3+/-10.5% and 2.4+/-0.1% (UltraClean, FastDNA and Soil Master, respectively). Quantification of target DNA proved robust in sediments heavily polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the external recovery standard could be detected following extraction and amplification from as few as 1 x 10(3) cells added to 0.5 g sediment (wet weight). The external DNA recovery standard was also added directly to the sediment as purified plasmid DNA prior to extraction. It was recovered with similar efficiency as when added as whole cells, suggesting its usefulness in estimating DNA recovery in ribosomal DNA studies. These results show that, while the commercial kits offer expedited sample processing, the extraction efficiencies vary on a sample-by-sample basis and were <100%. Therefore, quantitative DNA studies require an estimation of DNA recovery.     

Development of Procedures for Direct Extraction of Cryptosporidium DNA from Water Concentrates and for Relief of PCR Inhibitors

Extraction of high-quality DNA is a key step in PCR detection of Cryptosporidium and other pathogens in environmental samples. Currently, Cryptosporidium oocysts in water samples have to be purified from water concentrates before DNA is extracted. This study compared the effectiveness of six DNA extraction methods (DNA extraction with the QIAamp DNA minikit after oocyst purification with immunomagnetic separation and direct DNA extraction methods using the FastDNA SPIN kit for soil, QIAamp DNA stool minikit, UltraClean soil kit, or QIAamp DNA minikit and the traditional phenol-chloroform technique) for the detection of Cryptosporidium with oocyst-seeded samples, DNA-spiked samples, and field water samples. The study also evaluated the effects of different PCR facilitators (nonacetylated bovine serum albumin, the T4 gene 32 protein, and polyvinylpyrrolidone) and treatments (the use of GeneReleaser or ultrafiltration) for the relief from or removal of inhibitors of PCR amplification. The results of seeding and spiking studies showed that PCR inhibitors were presented in all DNA solutions extracted by the six methods. However, the effect of PCR inhibitors could be relieved significantly by the addition of 400 ng of bovine serum albumin/μl or 25 ng of T4 gene 32 protein/μl to the PCR mixture. With the inclusion of bovine serum albumin in the PCR mixture, DNA extracted with the FastDNA SPIN kit for soil without oocyst isolation resulted in PCR performance similar to that produced by the QIAamp DNA minikit after oocysts were purified by immunomagnetic separation.     

Development of procedures for direct extraction of Cryptosporidium DNA from water concentrates and for relief of PCR inhibitors

Extraction of high-quality DNA is a key step in PCR detection of Cryptosporidium and other pathogens in environmental samples. Currently, Cryptosporidium oocysts in water samples have to be purified from water concentrates before DNA is extracted. This study compared the effectiveness of six DNA extraction methods (DNA extraction with the QIAamp DNA minikit after oocyst purification with immunomagnetic separation and direct DNA extraction methods using the FastDNA SPIN kit for soil, QIAamp DNA stool minikit, UltraClean soil kit, or QIAamp DNA minikit and the traditional phenol-chloroform technique) for the detection of Cryptosporidium with oocyst-seeded samples, DNA-spiked samples, and field water samples. The study also evaluated the effects of different PCR facilitators (nonacetylated bovine serum albumin, the T4 gene 32 protein, and polyvinylpyrrolidone) and treatments (the use of GeneReleaser or ultrafiltration) for the relief from or removal of inhibitors of PCR amplification. The results of seeding and spiking studies showed that PCR inhibitors were presented in all DNA solutions extracted by the six methods. However, the effect of PCR inhibitors could be relieved significantly by the addition of 400 ng of bovine serum albumin/mul or 25 ng of T4 gene 32 protein/mul to the PCR mixture. With the inclusion of bovine serum albumin in the PCR mixture, DNA extracted with the FastDNA SPIN kit for soil without oocyst isolation resulted in PCR performance similar to that produced by the QIAamp DNA minikit after oocysts were purified by immunomagnetic separation.     

土壤细菌DNA提取及多样性分析的T-RFLP方法

获得高质量的土壤总DNA是土壤细菌生态学的关键步骤之一.实验通过综合应用两个试剂盒(Soilmaster kit和DNA IQTM系统)的优点进行土壤样品总DNA的提取,结果证明该方法是一种快速、有效、灵敏、稳定的土壤DNA提取方法.另外尝试将16S rDNA序列和T-RFLP(Terminal restriction fragment 1ength polymorphism)技术引入土壤细菌DNA群落多样性的研究中,证明T-RFLP是一种有力的土壤细菌多样性分析工具.     

Removal of humic substances from soil DNA using aluminium sulfate

Direct extraction of soil DNA has become essential for the study of soil microorganisms. Humic substances co-extracted during DNA retrieval is a big problem because it greatly inhibits the enzymes involved in manipulating DNA. Popular commercial kits available for soil DNA extraction are unable to overcome this problem. Here we report an effective protocol for the removal of humic substance from soil DNA. The protocol involves flocculation of the humic substance by excessive Al(3+), then removal of superfluous Al(3+) via pH adjustment and finally release of soil microbial DNA by SDS lysis. This technique is superior to that employed by the UltraClean Soil DNA Kit and can be applied to a wide variety of soils.     

Efficient isolation method for high‐quality genomic DNA from cicada exuviae

In recent years, animal ethics issues have led researchers to explore nondestructive methods to access materials for genetic studies. Cicada exuviae are among those materials because they are cast skins that individuals left after molt and are easily collected. In this study, we aim to identify the most efficient extraction method to obtain high quantity and quality of DNA from cicada exuviae. We compared relative DNA yield and purity of six extraction protocols, including both manual protocols and available commercial kits, extracting from four different exoskeleton parts. Furthermore, amplification and sequencing of genomic DNA were evaluated in terms of availability of sequencing sequence at the expected genomic size. Both the choice of protocol and exuvia part significantly affected DNA yield and purity. Only samples that were extracted using the PowerSoil DNA Isolation kit generated gel bands of expected size as well as successful sequencing results. The failed attempts to extract DNA using other protocols could be partially explained by a low DNA yield from cicada exuviae and partly by contamination with humic acids that exist in the soil where cicada nymphs reside before emergence, as shown by spectroscopic measurements. Genomic DNA extracted from cicada exuviae could provide valuable information for species identification, allowing the investigation of genetic diversity across consecutive broods, or spatiotemporal variation among various populations. Consequently, we hope to provide a simple method to acquire pure genomic DNA applicable for multiple research purposes.     

四种牧草植物替代控制对黄顶菊入侵土壤细菌多样性的影响

土壤微生物群落与植物的生长发育密切相关, 入侵植物可以改变入侵地土壤微生物类群, 使土壤理化性质发生变化, 从而促进其入侵过程。该文通过比较高丹草(Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense)、向日葵(Helianthus annuus)、紫花苜蓿(Medi- cago sativa)和多年生黑麦草(Lolium perenne)4种替代植物与黄顶菊(Flaveria bidentis)混合种植(以下简称混种)后不同时期的土壤细菌多样性的变化, 揭示土壤细菌群落对黄顶菊入侵及替代管理措施的响应规律。结果表明, 单独种植(以下简称单种)黄顶菊的土壤细菌多样性下降, 并且在整个生长期多样性指数多数情况下低于高丹草、向日葵、紫花苜蓿和多年生黑麦草单种或与黄顶菊混种的土壤。当4种替代植物与黄顶菊混种后, 土壤细菌16S rRNA的变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)图谱与它们分别种植时存在明显差异, 且不同生长期各个混种土壤都有特征细菌群落。4种替代植物单种或与黄顶菊混种的土壤细菌Shannon多样性指数变化规律与植物生长发育趋势相同, 7月份达到高峰, 8月份开始降低。总之, 黄顶菊入侵降低了土壤细菌群落多样性, 4种替代植物与黄顶菊混种后, 又可提高土壤细菌群落多样性, 这种变化对黄顶菊成功入侵和替代防控具有重要作用。     

Innovative methods for soil DNA purification tested in soils with widely differing characteristics

Seven methods of soil DNA extraction and purification were tested in a set of 14 soils differing in bedrock, texture, pH, salinity, moisture, organic matter content, and vegetation cover. The methods introduced in this study included pretreatment of soil with CaCO(3) or purification of extracted DNA by CaCl(2). The performance of innovated methods was compared to that of the commercial kit Mo Bio PowerSoil and the phenol-chloroform-based method of D. N. Miller, J. E. Bryant, E. L. Madsen, and W. C. Ghiorse (Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65:4715-4724, 1999). This study demonstrated significant differences between the tested methods in terms of DNA yield, PCR performance, and recovered bacterial diversity. The differences in DNA yields were correlated to vegetation cover, soil pH, and clay content. The differences in PCR performances were correlated to vegetation cover and soil pH. The innovative methods improved PCR performance in our set of soils, in particular for forest acidic soils. PCR was successful in 95% of cases by the method using CaCl(2) purification and in 93% of cases by the method based on CaCO(3) pretreatment, but only in 79% by Mo Bio PowerSoil, for our range of soils. Also, the innovative methods recovered a higher percentage of actinomycete diversity from a subset of three soils. Recommendations include the assessment of soil characteristics prior to selecting the optimal protocol for soil DNA extraction and purification.     

A rapid DNA extraction method for PCR amplification from wetland soils

Aims: We tested a method of rapid DNA extraction from wetland soil samples for use in the polymerase chain reaction. Methods and Results: The glass bead/calcium chloride/SDS method obtained in the present study was compared with the calcium chloride/SDS/enzymatic extraction method and the UltraClean? Soil DNA Isolation Kit. Rapid DNA extraction could be completed within about two hours without purification steps. Conclusions: This study succeeded in establishing a fast soil DNA extraction protocol that can be applied to various environmental sources that are rich in humic acid content. Significance and Impact of the Study: The method provides a technology with high‐quality DNA extraction from soils for testing the diversity of AOB and AOA.     

A comparison of five methods for extraction of bacterial DNA from human faecal samples

The purity of DNA extracted from faecal samples is a key issue in the sensitivity and usefulness of biological analyses such as PCR for infectious pathogens and non-pathogens. We have compared the relative efficacy of extraction of bacterial DNA (both Gram negative and positive origin) from faeces using four commercial kits (FastDNA kit, Bio 101; Nucleospin C+T kit, Macherey-Nagal; Quantum Prep Aquapure Genomic DNA isolation kit, Bio-Rad; QIAamp DNA stool mini kit, Qiagen) and a non-commercial guanidium isothiocyanate/silica matrix method. Human faecal samples were spiked with additional known concentrations of Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bacteroides uniformis, the DNA was then extracted by each of the five methods, and tested in genus-specific PCRs. The Nucleospin method was the most sensitive procedure for the extraction of DNA from a pure bacterial culture of Gram-positive L. acidophilus (10(4) bacteria/PCR), and QIAamp and the guanidium method were most sensitive for cultures of Gram-negative B. uniformis (10(3) bacteria/PCR). However, for faecal samples, the QIAamp kit was the most effective extraction method and led to the detection of bacterial DNA over the greatest range of spike concentrations for both B. uniformis and L. acidophilus in primary PCR reactions. A difference in extraction efficacy was observed between faecal samples from different individuals. The use of appropriate DNA extraction kits or methods is critical for successful and valid PCR studies on clinical, experimental or environmental samples and we recommend that DNA extraction techniques are carefully selected with particular regard to the specimen type.     

Comparative analysis of microbial DNA extraction protocols for groundwater samples

A comparative analysis of four different DNA extraction protocols was performed to determine the best choice for groundwater microbial diversity studies using temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) analysis. The methods used were a chelex-based method, a modified salting out procedure (MSOP), and the commercial kits Epicentre and FastDNA. Both commercial kits exhibited the greatest reproducibility in their methods; however, their band patterns were very different. The protocol that showed the highest diversity was the chelex-based method, and the one that showed the lowest diversity was the FastDNA kit.     

PCR-DGGE技术在农田土壤微生物多样性研究中的应用

变性梯度凝胶电泳技术(DGGE)在微生物生态学领域有着广泛的应用。研究采用化学裂解法直接提取出不同农田土壤微生物基因组DNA,并以此基因组DNA为模板,选择特异性引物F357GC和R515对16S rRNA基因的V3区进行扩增,长约230bp的PCR产物经变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)进行分离后,得到不同数目且分离效果较好的电泳条带。结果说明,DGGE能够对土壤样品中的不同微生物的16S rRNA基因的V3区的DNA扩增片断进行分离,为这些DNA片断的定性和鉴定提供了条件。与传统的平板培养方法相比,变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)技术能够更精确的反映出土壤微生物多样性,它是一种有效的微生物多样性研究技术。     

Evaluation and optimization of nucleic acid extraction methods for the molecular analysis of bacterial communities associated with corroded carbon steel

Different DNA and RNA extraction approaches were evaluated and protocols optimized on in situ corrosion products from carbon steel in marine environments. Protocols adapted from the PowerSoil DNA/RNA Isolation methods resulted in the best nucleic acid (NA) extraction performances (ie combining high NA yield, quality, purity, representativeness of microbial community and processing time efficiency). The PowerSoil RNA Isolation Kit was the only method which resulted in amplifiable RNA of good quality (ie intact 16S/23S rRNA). Sample homogenization and hot chemical (SDS) cell lysis combined with mechanical (bead-beating) lysis in presence of a DNA competitor (skim milk) contributed to improving substantially (around 23 times) the DNA yield of the PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit. Apart from presenting NA extraction strategies for optimizing extraction parameters with corrosion samples from carbon steel, this study proposes DNA and RNA extraction procedures suited for comparative molecular analysis of total and active fractions of bacterial communities associated with carbon steel corrosion events, thereby contributing to improved MIC diagnosis and control.     

Evaluation and optimization of nucleic acid extraction methods for the molecular analysis of bacterial communities associated with corroded carbon steel

Different DNA and RNA extraction approaches were evaluated and protocols optimized on in situ corrosion products from carbon steel in marine environments. Protocols adapted from the PowerSoil DNA/RNA Isolation methods resulted in the best nucleic acid (NA) extraction performances (ie combining high NA yield, quality, purity, representativeness of microbial community and processing time efficiency). The PowerSoil RNA Isolation Kit was the only method which resulted in amplifiable RNA of good quality (ie intact 16S/23S rRNA). Sample homogenization and hot chemical (SDS) cell lysis combined with mechanical (bead-beating) lysis in presence of a DNA competitor (skim milk) contributed to improving substantially (around 23 times) the DNA yield of the PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit. Apart from presenting NA extraction strategies for optimizing extraction parameters with corrosion samples from carbon steel, this study proposes DNA and RNA extraction procedures suited for comparative molecular analysis of total and active fractions of bacterial communities associated with carbon steel corrosion events, thereby contributing to improved MIC diagnosis and control.     

An optimized DNA extraction and purification method from dairy manure compost for genetic diversity analysis

An unbiased DNA extraction protocol is necessary for analysis of genetic diversity, particularly, of genes in complex environmental samples by nucleic acid techniques. In the present study, three manual extraction methods and two commonly used commercial kits, which were accompanied by two DNA purification strategies, were compared based on cell lysis efficiency, DNA and humic acid yields, PCR amplification and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. The results show that in spite of higher cell lysis efficiencies of the two commercial kits, the purified DNA yields were only one-third of that obtained by the two manual methods of FTSP (Freeze–thaw–SDS–Protein K) and FTSPP (Freeze–thaw–SDS–Protein K-Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone). The purified DNA from all five methods was pure enough for successful PCR and real-time PCR amplifications in the presence of 1 μg μL^?1 BSA. However, the FTSPP extraction method with DNA purification by a Wizard^® kit yielded the largest number of 16S rRNA gene copies and ribotypes or bands in DGGE profiles, which indicated a superiority over the other four methods. The development of this optimized DNA extraction and purification method may provide a valuable tool for further molecular analysis of compost.     

Different influences of DNA purity indices and quantity on PCR-based DGGE and functional gene microarray in soil microbial community study

Based on the comparative study of the DNA extracts from two soil samples obtained by three commercial DNA extraction kits, we evaluated the influence of the DNA quantity and purity indices (the absorbance ratios A260/280 and A260/230, as well as the absorbance value A320 indicating the amount of humic substances) on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and a functional gene microarray used in the study of microbial communities. Numbers and intensities of the DGGE bands are more affected by the A260/280 and A320 values than by the ratio A260/230 and conditionally affected by the DNA yield. Moreover, we demonstrated that the DGGE band pattern was also affected by the preferential extraction due to chemical agents applied in the extraction. Unlike DGGE, microarray is more affected by the A260/230 and A320 values. Until now, the successful PCR performance is the mostly used criterion for soil DNA purity. However, since PCR was more influenced by the A260/280 ratio than by A260/230, it is not accurate enough any more for microbial community assessed by non-PCR-based methods such as microarray. This study provides some useful hints on how to choose effective DNA extraction method for the subsequent assessment of microbial community.