Regional Research Laboratory Canal Road, Jammu Tawi, India.
*Address for correspondence: Biotechnology Division, I.H.B.T., Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India. 176 061.
A simple, cost effective and efficient protocol for isolating total genomic DNA from fresh leaves of Withania somnifera was developed. The method involves a modified CTAB extraction employing 2 - 3% CTAB extraction buffer, the primary purification process consists of washing the DNA with phenol while it is complexed with CTAB and dissolved in 1.4 M NaCl. Isolated DNA was completely digestible with restriction endonucleases (Eco R1 and Mse1) and amplifiable in the polymerase chain reaction indicating freedom from contaminating compounds. were optimized for RAPD analysis. Using this process we have found it possible to isolate DNA from 20 different genera of medicinal plants from north western Himalaya.
DNA isolation, Withania somnifera, Hypericum perforatum, medicinal plants, secondary metabolites, PCR amplification, RAPD, restriction digestion
