Abstract: Four methods, including modified CTAB, E.Z.N.A.TM Total RNA KitⅡ, EZ-10 Span Column Total RNA Isolation Kit and guanidine thiocyanate, were evaluated for their performance for isolating total RNA from mulberry fruit by comparing total RNA yield, purity and completeness as well as RT-PCR results. The results showed that modified CTAB method and E.Z.N.A.TM Total RNA KitⅡ were adequate for extracting total RNA from mulberry fruit. The acquired total RNA had a good quality and could be absolutely suitable for being used for further molecular biology experiments. Besides, the modified CTAB method was more economical and easier to operate than E.Z.N.A.TM Total RNA KitⅡ.

Key words: mulberry fruit, total RNA, extraction, comparison, polyphenol, polysaccharide