Isolating deoxyribonucleic acid from aqueous

solution
Patricio Jose H. Najeal, Kurt Matthew Amodia

The objective of the experiment was to isolate DNA from saliva sample and to observe its
visual appearance. The sample was extracted by swirling salt in water solution in a human
mouth. Part of the sample was transferred to a test tube. The sample was mixed with liquid
dishwashing solution and alcohol was allowed to suspend from the solution. DNA was
observed to be whitish and with strand-like shape.

Keywords: DNA, saliva, isolate, extract

I. Introduction III. Results and Discussions
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a The sample was observed to have
molecule composed of two chains that coil white strand-like masses with bubbles of gas
around each other in a double helix structure. surrounding them. These white strand-like
DNA carries genetic information for the masses were taken to be DNA.
growth, development, and reproduction of all
IV. Conclusion
known organisms.
DNA was successfully isolated in
The DNA in saliva originates from
aqueous solution. DNA was observed to have
cells that are shed from the inner linings of
whitish color and strand-like shape. Gas
the mouth and from white blood cells. 1
bubbles also started to appear around the
The objective of the experiment is to DNA.
isolate DNA from saliva, and to observe and
V. References
describe the visual appearance of DNA.
1) Salimetrics. (Retrieved February 28,
II. Methodology
2019). Collecting and Handling Saliva for
Rubbing alcohol was placed in a DNA Analysis. Retrieved from
freezer for an hour in preparation for the https://www.salimetrics.com/collecting-and-
experiment. Four identical containers, and a handling-saliva-for-dna-analysis
test tube were also prepared. In one container,
VI. Acknowledgements
30 mL of tap water was mixed with 5 mL of
iodized salt. In a separate container, 15 mL of We would like to thank Miss Sherry
tap water and 5 mL of liquid dishwashing Ramayla for giving us the opportunity to
soap were mixed. 2 mL of the saltwater conduct the experiment. We would also like
solution was taken from the first container to thank the Philippine Science High School
and placed on a separate container. The – Central Visayas Campus for their
newly isolated saltwater solution was swirled unwavering support for us.
in human mouth for 30 seconds, after which
the human spit the saltwater solution in the VII. Appendix
fourth container, which samples DNA from
the human.
1 mL of the sample was transferred to
the test tube for ease of observation. 1 mL of
the soap water solution from the second
container was added to the test tube and was
allowed to mix with the sample for 1 minute.
After the contents were mixed, 15 mL of cold
rubbing alcohol were transferred to the test
tube. The alcohol was transferred slowly to
prevent mixing the alcohol with the sample. Figure 1: Isolated DNA from aqueous solution
The sample was observed for 1 minute.