Detection of specific DNA from crude extracts of rice seed grains using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

To rapidly detect specific genes, crude extracts prepared from rice seed grains were used as templates for PCR, the PCR products were digested with restriction enzymes or urasil-DNA glycosylase, and then matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to detect amplified DNA. It was possible to amplify small DNA fragments (50-60bp), but not large ones (>200bp), using crude extracts as the PCR template. This method can be completed within 1h, including extractions, and is well suited to automation for high-throughput analyses.