Extracting genomic DNA of foodstuff by polyamidoamine (PAMAM)–magnetite nanoparticles

Although genetically modified (GM) food is becoming increasingly available, consumers are showing a growing awareness about the need to identify GM and non-GM foodstuff: the reliable identification of GM/non-GM food is therefore an important tool in the social, health and safety debates. The present research responds to this need (i) through developing a novel “single-pot” preparation of PAMAM magnetite nanoparticles (PMNPs) and by fully defining their specific characteristics; (ii) by demonstrating the capability of the PMNPs to isolate genomic DNA from different sample foods; and (iii) by experimentally demonstrating the identification of the isolated DNA by gel-electrophoresis, thus being capable of screening GM and non-GM food.