Article

Optimization of PCR Conditions to Amplify Mitochondrial COI Gene fragments of Wildlife Species in Kenya

Edinah Song'oro1★, Ann Muigai1, Charles Kimwele2, Erastus Gatebe1, Mercy Mwaniki1, Julius Kinuthia1, Zipporah Osiemo1★ Corresponding author

  1. 1Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Faculty of Science, KENYA.
  2. 2University of Nairobi, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, KENYA.

CORRESPONDENCE

Edinah Song'oro

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Faculty of Science, KENYA.

edinahsong@gmail.com

Received: 05-09-2012; Revised: 28-09-2012; Accepted: 26-10-2012.

Volume 1, Issue 3 · pp. 191–196 · PUBLISHED 31 December 2012 · DOI:

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ABSTRACT

PCR has been extensively used for amplification of DNAsequences. We conducted a study to obtain the best amplification conditions for cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene fragments of some of the targeted wildlife species in Kenya; buffalo,common zebra, grant's gazelle,warthog and common eland and domestic samples purchased from the market as 'beef', 'goat'or 'mutton'. DNAfrom five wildlife species and one hundred of domestic samples were extracted for PCR amplification. Various trials and combinations were tested to determine the best conditions of PCR mixtures and annealing temperatures to obtain the best PCR products for sequencing purposes. Four selected target factors for enhancing PCR, annealing temperature, concentration of primer pair, amount of Dream Taq TM PCR Master Mix (2x) (Fermentas) and PCR cycle duration, were optimized by keeping the amount of DNA template (2μL) and concentration of PCR buffer, MgCl2 4mM and dNTP mixture constant (Fermentas). All genes were successfully amplified, giving the correct fragment lengths of 700 base pair (bp), as assigned for both forward and reverse primer. The optimal conditions were determined to be: 0.5μl (5pmoles) for each primer, 25μl of DreamTaqTM PCR Master Mix (2x), 30 s of both denaturation and annealing cycles and annealing temperature of 56.5°C. PCR products obtained under these conditions produced excellent bands.

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      Song'oro, E., Muigai, A., Kimwele, C., Gatebe, E., Mwaniki, M., Kinuthia, J., & Osiemo, Z. (2012). Optimization of PCR Conditions to Amplify Mitochondrial COI Gene fragments of Wildlife Species in Kenya. Asian Journal of Biological and Life sciences, 1(3), 191–196.