Metagenomics is the study of gene pool of an entire community in a particular niche. This provides valuable information about the functionality of host-microbe interaction in a biological ecosystem. Efficient metagenomic DNA extraction is a critical pre-requisite for a successful sequencing run in a metagenomic study. Although isolation of human stool metagenomic DNA is fairly standardized, the same protocol does not work as efficiently in fecal DNA from other organisms. In this study, we report a comparison of manual and commercial DNA extraction methods for diverse samples such as human stool, fish gut and soil. Fishes are known to have variable microbial diversity based on their food habits, so the study included two different varieties of fishes. A modified protocol for effective isolation of metagenomic DNA from human milk samples is also reported, highlighting critical precautions. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of studying functionality of human milk metagenome to understand its influence on infants’ health. While manual method works well with most samples and therefore can be a method of choice for testing new samples, broad-range commercial kit offers advantage of high purity and quality. DNA extraction of different samples would go a long way in unraveling the unexplored association between microbes and host in a biological system.

中文翻译：

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从人类和环境样品中最佳回收元基因组DNA的DNA提取方法的比较。

元基因组学是对特定生态位中整个社区的基因库的研究。这提供了有关生物生态系统中宿主与微生物相互作用功能的宝贵信息。有效的宏基因组学DNA提取是在宏基因组学研究中成功进行测序的关键前提。尽管人类粪便宏基因组学DNA的分离已相当标准化，但该协议在其他生物的粪便DNA中却无法有效发挥作用。在这项研究中，我们报告了针对各种样本（例如人粪，鱼肠和土壤）的手动和商业DNA提取方法的比较。根据鱼类的饮食习惯，已知鱼类具有不同的微生物多样性，因此该研究包括两种不同的鱼类。还报道了一种从人乳样品中有效分离宏基因组DNA的改良方案，强调了重要的预防措施。最近的研究强调研究人乳元基因组功能的重要性，以了解其对婴儿健康的影响。手动方法适用于大多数样品，因此可以作为测试新样品的一种选择方法，而广泛的商用试剂盒具有高纯度和高质量的优势。从不同样品中提取DNA将有助于弄清微生物与生物系统中宿主之间尚未探索的联系。手动方法适用于大多数样品，因此可以作为测试新样品的一种选择方法，而广泛的商用试剂盒具有高纯度和高质量的优势。从不同样品中提取DNA将有助于弄清微生物与生物系统中宿主之间尚未探索的联系。手动方法适用于大多数样品，因此可以作为测试新样品的一种选择方法，而广泛的商用试剂盒具有高纯度和高质量的优势。从不同样品中提取DNA将有助于弄清微生物与生物系统中宿主之间尚未探索的联系。