New DNA Multiscan protocol for water samples
15 May 2025 - Horticulture
Eurofins Agro Testing Wageningen has introduced a significant innovation in the procedure for DNA Multiscan of water samples. Thanks to a newly developed protocol, DNA Multiscan results now exclusively reflect the DNA of active cells. This advancement provides a more reliable and accurate insight into the actual presence of pathogens in water.
Pathogens are often invisible to the naked eye. By the time a plant shows symptoms of damage, it is usually too late. DNA Multiscan enables early detection. This unique DNA technique can identify fungi and bacteria even at very low concentrations, allowing growers to detect the presence of pathogens in crops before any visible damage occurs. Moreover, this DNA-based analysis can specifically identify a broad range of pathogens.
Active DNA of not?
A well-known limitation of DNA analyses is their inability to distinguish between intercellular DNA from living cells and extracellular/ free DNA from dead organisms. As a result, the analysis reflects a combined picture of both biologically relevant and non-relevant DNA.
In soils and substrates, extracellular DNA typically breaks down quickly. However, in water samples, it can persist for longer periods, leading to uncertainty in the interpretation of test results.
New protocol
To overcome this challenge, Eurofins Agro has developed a new protocol that removes extracellular DNA from water samples. This ensures that DNA Multiscan results now exclusively reflect the DNA of living cells, making the test results more reliable and providing a clearer picture of the current presence of pathogens in water.
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