A novel method for collection and preservation of faeces for genetic studies

Abstract Quantitative and qualitative measurements of DNA were used to compare faecal sample storage in ethanol and silica with a novel method (two‐step) in which samples are soaked in ethanol and then desiccated with silica. Silica‐preserved samples had the lowest DNA concentrations. The two‐step method yielded significantly more DNA in high quality samples (average DNA concentrations > 100 pg/µL with all storage methods). However, for lower quality samples, the ethanol and two‐step methods performed similarly. The amounts and rates of sample degradation were not strongly affected by storage method and neither was the percentage of target DNA (< 1%) obtained from the samples.