Abstract: In this study, we compared six different DNA extraction methods, including TIANGEN plant genomic DNA kit, TIANGEN DNAsecure plant kit, QIAGEN DNeasy plant kit, Nucleospin? Food kit, modified cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-CTAB method by examining their effectiveness for extracting DNA from 19 edible spices from plant roots, stems, leaves, buds, fruits, and seeds. The results showed that the DNAs obtained by the QIAGEN DNeasy plant kit and the TIANGEN plant genomic DNA kit were most successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, the QIAGEN DNeasy plant kit yielded a low DNA concentration, being unfavorable for subsequent studies. Therefore, we recommended that the TIANGEN plant genomic DNA kit should be preferably used for the extraction of genomic DNA from edible spices and DNA from commercial spice powder. The results showed that the concentration, purity and PCR amplification efficiency of DNA extracted from all commercial spice powders met the experimental requirements. Moreover, the sample amount and lysis time should be increased for DNA extraction from bark and hard edible spices using the TIANGEN plant genomic DNA kit.

Key words: edible spices; DNA extraction; commercial kit; modified cetyltrimethylammonium bromide method; sodium dodecyl sulfate-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide method