Isolation and characterisation of RNA from flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

A method for isolation of flax RNA is described; properties of the isolated RNA are given. RNA degradation was held to a minimum through a high pH (9.5) extraction buffer, diethylpyrocarbonate (4%) as a nuclease inhibitor, a high concentration (1.5%) of sodium dodecylsulphate, 2 mm Mg²⁺, and separation of the RNA from contaminating materials on Sephadex G-50.