Reliable protocols for DNA extraction from freeze-dried macrofungal samples used in molecular macrofungal systematics studies

Abstract

Molecular methods to investigate macrofungal communities are faster and more reliable than classical morphological methods. Identification techniques based on total DNA extraction provide excellent identifications. In the present study two techniques of DNA extraction have been tested on four different fungal species. DNA qualities were evaluated, along with DNA suitability for amplification of ITS fragments by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a basidiomycete-specific primer pair (ITS1F-ITS4B) to amplify fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS).