Comparison of Different Dna Preservation Methods On Quinqueloculina Spp. (foraminifera, Miliolida)

Abstract

Abstract We carried out a series of experiments to evaluate the efficiency of preserving DNA from porcelaneous foraminifera (Quinqueloculina spp.) and a second set to assess the effect of Rose Bengal staining on molecular processing. The first experimental setup assessed three methods of DNA preservation (air-drying, freezing with or without seawater, and Guanidine lysis buffer treatment with or without EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)). Our study produced the following results: 1) there were no significant differences in DNA preservation when samples were air dried across a range of temperatures (20–120°C); samples frozen at −20°C appeared better preserved than at those frozen at –80°C, and freezing without seawater appeared to produce better preservation than with seawater, though differences in freezing treatments were not significant (p > 0.05); samples in Guanidine lysis buffer with EDTA and stored at –20°C were well preserved (p < 0.05); 2) sometimes, DNA was successfully extracted from samples stained with Rose Bengal. We recommend Guanidine lysis buffer with EDTA, stored at –20°C for up to six weeks, as the best protocol for preservation of DNA from porcelaneous foraminifera.