Comparison of DNA extraction methods for PCR amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII) DNA from primate fecal samples

Mitochondrial COII DNA was amplified by PCR from total DNA extracted from f ield collected primate fecal samples (n = 24) which had been stored without refrigeration for over 30 days. High molecular weight DNA total DNA was ob tained from samples stored in 70% (v/v) ethanol, SDS lysis buffer (LB) and guanidine isothiocyanate buffer (GTB) than from samples stored in 10% forma lin. Fecal DNA quality and COII amplification varied according to storage s olution (formalin, ethanol, LB and GTB), extraction method (LB-based and GT B-based) and primate species (chimpanzee, baboon, human). It is recommended that fecal samples be collected in LB for DNA analysis. However, GTB-based protocols are suitable when total RNA is needed for epidemiological studie s of viral diseases or gene expression analysis.