DNA from smashed strawberries? What?

My son and I were reading the Biology book called ‘Biology: Life as We Know It!‘, and there was a page explaining about DNA. He was interested in what DNA is, and he was making some DNA shape LEGO. I was not familiar with anything about DNA, but I started researching and found out we can extract DNA from strawberries. I was so puzzled. Can we do this at home!?!? Not in the lab?! I was so excited because we had a pack of strawberries in our fridge, and I told my son, “We gotta try this!!”

What We Read before this Activity

Strawberry DNA – Food Science (Experiment Instruction Article form Steve Spangler Science)

They have video plus step by step instruction. Their explanation about how does it works was a big bonus for us to understand why we can extract DNA from strawberries and other fruits.

What We Watched

Strawberry DNA – Sick Science! #114

What you need

Strawberry DNA Extraction Activity tools and ingredients

Please try this experiment under adult supervision!

So much stuff! These are the ingredients and tools they showed in their video. Please follow their instructions for amounts of ingredients.

Dish soap
Small beaker / Test tube
Plastic bag
Strainer
Tweezers
Strawberries
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Salt
Isopropyl alcohol
Water
Adult supervision

Instruction

Again, we followed this website’s instructions and videos. In my opinion, this website has the most effortless and most precise instructions to follow for beginner like me.

Strawberry DNA – Food Science (Experiment Instruction Article form Steve Spangler Science)

How we did

Mixing water, dish soap and salt for Strawberry DNA Extraction Activity

Mixing water, dish soap, and salt to make the solution. That was easy!

Smashing solution and strawberries together in the bag for Strawberry DNA Extraction Activity

Use your finger muscle!! Smashing solution and strawberries together in the Ziploc bag. Be patient until it gets smooth without big pieces.

Pouring the solution into the test tube for Strawberry DNA Extraction Activity

After we pressed the mashed strawberry and solution with a strainer to the container, pour them into the test tube carefully!

Add chilled isopropyl alcohol to the solution for Strawberry DNA Extraction Activity

Poured the chilled isopropyl alcohol, holding the tube at eye level and waiting to see the separation!

It is hard to see in this picture, but can you see the little stuff on the glass? That is the DNA we picked from the strawberry! We were so amazed we can extract them at home!

More Learning Resources

Websites

Do-It-Yourself DNA (Science Buddies)

Videos

Science Mom Extracts DNA from a Strawberry / Science Mom

DIY Science: How to Extract DNA from a Strawberry – University of Leicester

Happy learning!