Technical note: A simple salting-out method for DNA extraction from milk somatic cells: investigation into the goat CSN1S1 gene.

In this study, a sensitive, rapid, and toxic solvent-free method to extract DNA from milk somatic cells was implemented for characterization of the goat alphaS1-casein gene (CSN1S1). Methods reported for purification of DNA from milk often involve organic extraction, overnight incubation, or use of expensive commercial kits. The present method was implemented for goat milk and is based on a salting-out protocol. The method yielded an amount of DNA suitable for PCR-RFLP without the need for sample enrichment. The PCR-RFLP of DNA extracted from milk produced amplified and digested products of correct size, comparable with those obtained using PCR-RFLP of DNA extracted from blood. Therefore, milk can be used as an alternative source of DNA, making sample collection easier and reducing stressful practices such as capture, handling, and venipuncture in animal management.