Uploaded January 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
This video shows how to extract DNA from strawberries using everyday items.
Materials:
- 5 ml washing-up liquid
- 50 ml water
- 5 g salt
- 3-4 strawberries
- 10 ml vodka (ice cold!)
- Spoon
- Glass or plastic cup
- Plastic bag
- Sieve
- Kitchen jug
- Small cup
- Toothpick
Notes:
1) Mixing the washing-up liquid, the water and the salt we create a mixture that will help break up the strawberry cells when we squash them, and release the DNA contained inside of each cell.
2) By passing it all through the sieve we get rid of the solid debris.
3) The vodka is used to pull the DNA out of the mixture. DNA is not soluble in alcohol, so it precipitates out in the white clumps that we can see in the top layer.
** Keep vodka in the freezer, it works best when it is very cold! And gently pour it down the side of the cup.
Find full instructions here: yourgenome.org/theme/extracting-dna-from-fruit
For more information about DNA, please explore related resources on our site: yourgenome.org
This video shows how to extract DNA from strawberries using everyday items.
Materials:
- 5 ml washing-up liquid
- 50 ml water
- 5 g salt
- 3-4 strawberries
- 10 ml vodka (ice cold!)
- Spoon
- Glass or plastic cup
- Plastic bag
- Sieve
- Kitchen jug
- Small cup
- Toothpick
Notes:
1) Mixing the washing-up liquid, the water and the salt we create a mixture that will help break up the strawberry cells when we squash them, and release the DNA contained inside of each cell.
2) By passing it all through the sieve we get rid of the solid debris.
3) The vodka is used to pull the DNA out of the mixture. DNA is not soluble in alcohol, so it precipitates out in the white clumps that we can see in the top layer.
** Keep vodka in the freezer, it works best when it is very cold! And gently pour it down the side of the cup.
Find full instructions here: yourgenome.org/theme/extracting-dna-from-fruit
For more information about DNA, please explore related resources on our site: yourgenome.org
