Use of magnetic polyaniline/maghemite nanocomposite for DNA retrieval from aqueous solutions

We demonstrated that the magnetic polyaniline/maghemite nanocomposite (Pani/γ-Fe₂O₃ MNC) is an efficient agent for retrieval of pure double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) chains from aqueous solutions. The dsDNA chains used in the retrieval experiments were of sodium salt of Salmon Sperm DNA. Based on λ=260nm absorption measurements, we have employed UV-Vis spectroscopy to estimate the concentration of DNA present in solutions, before and after the interaction with the MNC. The best results corresponded to a maximum amount of 75.2mg of DNA absorbed per gram of MNC reached within only 10min of joint exposure into the aqueous solution. After magnetic separation of the fully DNA-loaded Pani/γ-Fe₂O₃ MNC, we achieved essentially complete DNA desorption by appropriate changes in the pH of the solution. We have shown that it is possible to recycle the use of these MNC in several adsorption-desorption cycles. By comparing the present results to those of other DNA retrieval systems reported in the literature, we argued that the Pani/γ-Fe₂O₃ MNC here described represent a promising low-cost material for use as a fast, simple and efficient method of DNA separation and concentration.