Banana DNA

Overview

This experiment investigated how to extract DNA from a Banana using common household materials and how variables affect the success of the extraction process. This experiment extracts visible Banana DNA by breaking down cell membranes using mechanical mashing and a dish soap-salt solution. Then precipitating the DNA with IPA. The dish soap dissolves the lipids that make up membranes, and because the DNA dissolves in water and not chemicals like IPA, the DNA particles precipitate into the IPA forming clumps, causing them to appear as a white, stringy, or cloudy substance. I chose this project because I am interested in biology and I wanted to conduct an experiment at home using household materials. I extracted DNA from a banana and found that changing variables, like the percentage of IPA, affected the results. This showed that small changes can improve outcomes and that repeating experiments can help you learn.

Awards (1)

• Selected for CWSF 2026

Competition history

• CWSF 2026 Curiosity & Ingenuity

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