DNA Quantification in Ecklonia maxima seaweed extracts

Abstract DNA quantification is essential for product identification, quality assessment, and concentration verification in seaweed extracts. With numerous extracts making varied claims, this study investigates whether DNA analysis could serve as a valuable tool for regulatory bodies to confirm the authenticity and origins of these extracts. DNA quantification was performed in commercial Afrikelp biostimulant formulations and a competitor Ecklonia maxima product using NanoDrop, Qubit, and gene-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) for enhanced precision. The qPCR targeted rbcL and COX genes, enabling quantification of DNA directly associated with the seaweed content in the formulations. Additionally, the study compared a cold micronization process (CMP) of E. maxima to the cell burst method, with results showing that the Afrikelp CMP yielded significantly (p<0.05) higher DNA copy numbers than the cell burst extraction of the same seaweed. These findings establish a foundation for analysing sensitive active compounds using qPCR, emphasising the importance of preserving these compounds during extraction to ensure the efficacy of biostimulants in agricultural applications.