OVERVIEW
This method uses 40% sucrose solution instead of sucrose powder. This method is convenient and easy, and does not involve adjustment of volume.
REQUIREMENTS
Reagents and solutions
Xylene cyanol FF
40% (w/v) Sucrose solution (sterile)
Deionized / Milli-Q water
Equipment and disposables
15-ml screw-cap graduated polypropylene centrifuge tube
Centrifuge (for 15 ml tube)
Tube rotator (optional)
Vortex mixer (optional)
COMPOSITION
Composition of 6X DNA loading dye
0.25% (w/v) Xylene cyanol FF
40% (w/v) sucrose
Composition of 1X DNA loading dye
0.042% (w/v) Xylene cyanol FF
6.67% (w/v) sucrose
OBJECTIVE
Preparation of 10 ml of 6X DNA loading dye containing Xylene cyanol FF, and Sucrose
PREPARATION
To prepare 10 ml of 6X DNA loading dye, weigh out 25 mg Xylene cyanol FF. Transfer it to a 15-mL screw-capped graduated tube. Add 10 ml of 40% sucrose solution. Mix vigorously using a vortex mixer or tube rotator to dissolve bromophenol blue and xylene cyanol FF in 40% sucrose solution.
Note
This method is simple and convenient as it does not involve readjustment of solution volume. There will not be any significant change in the volume of the 40% sucrose solution when you dissolve small amounts of bromophenol blue in it.
Tip
We recommend using disposable nuclease nuclease-free (DNase- and RNase-free)15 ml screw-capped graduated tubes instead of beaker as all the procedure can be done in a single tube.
Precaution
If you expect that Xylene cyanol FF can co-migrate with the DNA fragment of interest, reduce the dye concentration (add 3-5 mg of dye). Xylene cyanol FF co-migrates with the 4000-5000 bp DNA fragment and will mask the DNA band.
STORAGE
Store the solution in the freezer (-20°C). Solution can be stored at 2 – 8°C for a few weeks.
Precaution
Sucrose-containing loading dyes are prone to mold-like growth. Avoid keeping it in the refrigerator or room temperature.
Tip
It is recommended to store the solutions in small aliquots (1 ml) at -20°C.
APPLICATIONS
This solution is used for loading DNA samples onto non-denaturing agarose or polyacrylamide gels.
Follow the table to prepare 6X agarose gel loading dye of various volumes. | |||||
Reagents / Volume | 5 ml | 10 ml | 25 ml | 50 ml | 100 ml |
Xylene cyanol FF | 12.5 mg | 25 mg | 62.5 mg | 125 mg | 250 mg |
Xylene cyanol FF | 12.5 mg | 25 mg | 62.5 mg | 125 mg | 250 mg |
40% Sucrose solution | 5 ml | 10 ml | 25 ml | 50 ml | 100 ml |
HOW TO USE
- Take 1 part dye and 5 part DNA sample (e.g., 1μL 6X loading dye and 5μL DNA sample). Mix it and load in the well of agarose gel or polyacrylamide gel.
- If you need to take a DNA sample less than 5μL, add a water or electrophoresis buffer to bring the final volume to 6 μL.
CALCULATOR
Use Calculator to calculate the amount of different components of 6X DNA loading dye
Volume of the 6X DNA loading dye: ml
(Change the volume of the solution)
Amount of Xylene cyanol FF: mg
2 thoughts on “Preparation of 6x DNA Loading Dye (Xylene Cyanol FF and Sucrose) Alternative Method”