HIGH-QUALITY DNA FROM PEAT SOIL FOR METAGENOMIC STUDIES: A MINIREVIEW ON DNA EXTRACTION METHODS

The understanding of microorganism’s biodiversity in the peatland soil through non-cultivation based approach provide important inputs towards prediction of the ecosystem response towards the changing environment. The challenge that hindered the success to obtain high quality DNA from peat soil lies in the physicochemical characteristics such as low pH and high humic acid content. There are two general approaches that have been extensively applied for soil microbial DNA extraction, which are direct DNA extraction protocol and indirect DNA extraction protocol. The only step differentiate between these two protocols is the later includes additional cell separation method from soil micro-aggregates preceding DNA extraction process. Therefore, several improved and modified methods in conventional DNA extraction and purification methods are reviewed in this paper to cater all the highlighted issues as to obtain high-quality DNA for peatland metagenomics soil studies.