Fruit Cup DNA Extraction

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MATERIALS:

2- 5 oz plastic cups1 set of measuring spoons1- plastic knife for cutting kiwi1- plastic spoon for mixing

and mashing kiwi1- #2 cone coffee filter25 ml of distilled waterclear-colored shampoo, such as

Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo1/2 of a kiwitable salt, either iodized or non-iodized1- plastic transfer pipette

(medicine dropper)1 sealed test tube of 95% ethanol

(grain alcohol)laboratory instructions

Fruit CupDNA Extraction

Step 1

• Into one of the 5 oz cups add 1 teaspoon of shampoo.

Step 2

• Add 2 pinches of table salt.

Step 3

• Add 25 ml of distilled water to make a final volume of 30 ml or about 1/3 the volume of the cup.

• Dissolve the salt and shampoo by stirring slowly to avoid foaming.

Step 4

• Using the plastic knife, peel and cut 1/2 of a kiwi into small pieces.

Step 5

• Using the plastic spoon, add the kiwi to the solution from steps 1-3.

Step 6

• Mash the kiwi against the side of the cup with the back of the spoon for 10 minutes.

Step 7

• While one member of your group mashes the kiwi, another member will place a #2 cone coffee filter inside the second 5 oz plastic cup.

Step 7(cont.)

• Fold the coffee filter’s edge around the cup so that the filter does not touch the bottom of the cup.

Step 8

• Filter the mixture by pouring it into the filter and letting the solution drain for several minutes until there is approximately 5 ml (covers the bottom of the cup) of filtrate to test.

Step 9

• Obtain a test tube of cold alcohol. For best results, the alcohol should be as cold as possible.

Step 10

• Fill the plastic pipette with kiwi solution to the 1 ml mark.

Step 11

• Add kiwi solution from the pipette to the cold alcohol.

Step 12

• Let the solution sit for 2 to 3 minutes without disturbing it.

• It is important not to shake the test tube.

Step 13

• You can watch the white DNA precipitate out into the alcohol layer.

• DNA has the appearance of white, stringy mucus.

Fruit Cup DNA Extraction

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