©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 12 (3): 3905-3911 (2013) Genomic DNA isolation of Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae) from leaf and stipe tissue samples for PCR analysis E.C.M. Lanes, C. Nick, K.N. Kuki, R.D. Freitas and S.Y. Motoike Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil Corresponding author: E.C.M. Lanes E-mail: edercml@gmail.com Genet. Mol. Res. 12 (3): 3905-3911 (2013) Received January 21, 2013 Accepted July 23, 2013 Published September 23, 2013 DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4238/2013.September.23.9 ABSTRACT. Macaw palm, Acrocomia aculeata is an oleaginous species of the Arecaceae family; it has been identifed as one of the most promising plants for sustainable production of renewable energy, especially biodiesel. We developed an effcient protocol of genomic DNA extraction for A. aculeata using leaf and stipe tissues, based on the cationic hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide method, and we evaluated the quantity, purity, and integrity of the resultant DNA. We also determined whether these procedures interfere with PCR amplifcation using SSR molecular markers. The lowest concentration of DNA was obtained from stipe tissues (135 ng/µL), while fresh leaf tissues provided the highest concentration of DNA (650 ng/µL). Good quality DNA was obtained from fresh leaf, lyophilized leaf, and stipe tissues (relative purity, 1.79-1.89 nm). Differences in quantity and quality of DNA extracted from different tissues did not interfere with general patterns of PCR amplifcation based on SSR markers. Key words: Molecular marker; Oleaginous species; Macaw palm; Optimization DNA; PCR amplifcation; SSR