Extraction and detection of free nucleic acids (FNA) from the water of coconut (Cocos nucifera L. var. San Ramon Tall)

Date

3-2006

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Marni E. Cueno

Abstract

An extraction protocol for free nucleic acids (FNA) was developed using water from coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) of leaf ranks (LR) 13 to 23. FNA were precipitated through the addition of absolute ethanol and sodium acetate with frequent centrifugation under low temperature to visually detect pellet formation. DNA Dipstick,. Kit confirmed and quantified FNA concentrations from the coconut water (CW), which yielded 0.10 ng/p1 as the lowest, and 5.0 ng/1.11 as the highest, for LR-18 and LR-23, respectively. Partial characterization of FNA was done; however, no bands were detected. This may be due to the low yield of FNA loaded. Protocol optimization was done by increasing the volume of CW samples from 1 ml to 5 ml and 25 ml. Only CW samples from LR 18 and LR 23 were used to create a comparison on the FNA content of the two leaf ranks. Again, no bands were produced at the 5-ml samples. Electrophoretic analyses showed presence of polysaccharides and RNA on the 25-m1 volume samples. A more prominent band was observed in LR 23 than in LR 18 suggesting that RNA content is significantly higher in the CW of LR 23 than in LR 18. These results conclusively indicate the successful extraction of FNA in CW. FNA are present at any age of the coconut and that it can be extracted at any concentrations.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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