What is Animal DNA Extraction Kit for Feces?
The Animal DNA Extraction Kit for Feces is a specialized laboratory tool designed to isolate high-quality DNA from animal fecal samples. Feces, often used in non-invasive wildlife studies and veterinary diagnostics, contain sloughed intestinal cells and microbial DNA, making them a valuable but challenging source for genetic analysis. This kit simplifies the process by efficiently breaking down the complex matrix of fecal matter and purifying the DNA for downstream applications like PCR, sequencing, or genotyping.
Using this kit, researchers can obtain DNA from various animal species, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, without the need for invasive sampling methods. It is particularly useful in ecology, conservation biology, and animal health monitoring, where fecal samples are commonly collected in the field. The kit ensures that the extracted DNA is free from inhibitors commonly found in feces, such as bilirubin and bile salts, which can interfere with molecular techniques.
Technical Specifications
| Model | Method | Sample | Application | Format | Workflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-M-STL-20R | Magnetic Beads | Stool | Animal | 20R | Manual |
| A-M-STL-50R | Magnetic Beads | Stool | Animal | 50R | Manual |
| A-M-STL-100R | Magnetic Beads | Stool | Animal | 100R | Manual |
| A-M-STL-200R | Magnetic Beads | Stool | Animal | 200R | Manual |
| A-M-STL-8R | Magnetic Beads | Stool | Animal | 8R | Semi-automated or Full Automation |
| A-M-STL-24R | Magnetic Beads | Stool | Animal | 24R | Semi-automated or Full Automation |
| A-M-STL-48R | Magnetic Beads | Stool | Animal | 48R | Semi-automated or Full Automation |
| A-M-STL-72R | Magnetic Beads | Stool | Animal | 72R | Semi-automated or Full Automation |
| A-M-STL-96R | Magnetic Beads | Stool | Animal | 96R | Semi-automated or Full Automation |
Working Principle
The principle behind the Animal DNA Extraction Kit for Feces involves a combination of mechanical and chemical lysis to break open cells and release DNA. Fecal samples are first homogenized to disrupt the solid matrix, followed by the addition of lysis buffers containing detergents and enzymes that degrade proteins and other contaminants. This step targets the epithelial cells from the animal's intestines present in the feces.
Subsequent purification uses silica-based technology or similar methods, where DNA binds to a solid phase in the presence of chaotropic salts. Impurities are washed away, and the pure DNA is eluted in a buffer. This process effectively removes inhibitors like humic acids or bilirubin common in feces, ensuring the DNA is clean and ready for molecular biology applications. The principle is optimized for high recovery rates and minimal degradation, even from low-quality or aged samples.
Performance
The Animal DNA Extraction Kit for Feces delivers reliable performance with high DNA yield and purity, essential for accurate genetic analysis. It efficiently handles the tough nature of fecal samples, which often contain PCR inhibitors and degraded DNA due to environmental exposure. Tests show that the kit can extract DNA with an A260/A280 ratio typically between 1.8 and 2.0, indicating pure nucleic acids suitable for sensitive applications like next-generation sequencing.
In practical use, the kit performs consistently across different types of fecal samples, whether fresh or preserved, and from various animal diets. It minimizes cross-contamination risks and ensures reproducibility, making it a trusted choice for high-throughput studies. Performance validation includes successful amplification in PCR assays, demonstrating that the extracted DNA is intact and functional for genetic research.
Application
This kit is widely applied in wildlife research, allowing scientists to study animal populations through non-invasive DNA sampling from feces. It supports projects in biodiversity assessment, population genetics, and disease surveillance, such as tracking endangered species or monitoring zoonotic pathogens. In veterinary medicine, it aids in diagnosing gastrointestinal infections or genetic disorders by analyzing fecal DNA from domestic and farm animals.
Additionally, the kit is used in agricultural and environmental sciences to investigate animal diets, gut microbiomes, and fecal contamination in ecosystems. Its versatility makes it suitable for educational purposes in universities and field studies, enabling students and researchers to explore animal genetics without harming the subjects. Applications extend to forensic science for identifying animal species in cases involving wildlife crime or contamination.
Core Features and Advantages
The core features of this kit include its high efficiency in handling inhibitory substances found in feces, user-friendly protocol that requires minimal hands-on time, and compatibility with various downstream analyses. It offers scalability, from small-scale research to large epidemiological studies, with options for manual or automated extraction. The kit is designed to be cost-effective, reducing the need for multiple reagents and equipment.
Advantages include non-invasive sampling, which is ethical and practical for field studies, and the ability to work with degraded or difficult samples. It ensures high DNA integrity, supporting long-read sequencing and other advanced techniques. The kit also includes quality control measures, such as internal standards, to verify extraction success and maintain consistency across batches, making it a reliable tool for both novice and experienced users.