Factors Affecting the Extraction of Intact Ribonucleic Acid from Plant Tissues Containing Interfering Phenolic Compounds

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Abstract
Using conventional methods it is impossible to extract RNA as uncomplexed intact molecules from the leaves of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) and from a number of woody perennial species [Eucalyptus torquata, Acacia pycnantha, Persea americana, Cocos nucifera, Humulus lupulus, Musa sapientum, Camellia sinensis, Spinacia oleracea, Malus sylvestris, Lycopersicon esculentum, Citrullus lanatus, Chenopodium quinoa and Chrysanthemum indica] that contain high levels of reactive phenolic compounds. A procedure involving the use of high concentrations of the chaotropic agent sodium perchlorate prevents the binding of phenolic compounds to RNA during extraction. Analyses of the phenolics present in plant tissues used in these experiments indicate that there is a poor correlation between the total phenolic content and the complexing of RNA. Qualitative analyses suggest that proanthocyanidins are involved in the tanning of RNA during conventional extractions.