RNeasy PowerMax Soil Pro Kit – Soil Total RNA Isolation

• Uses second-generation Inhibitor Removal Technology^® (IRT)
• Efficient bead beating and lysis chemistry ensures high RNA yields from large sample quantities
• Suitable for soil types rich in humic acid, including compost, sediment, and manure
• Ready-to-use RNA suitable for downstream applications such as RT-PCR, qPCR, and next-gen sequencing

The RNeasy PowerMax Soil Pro Kit offers a unique and efficient method for isolating total RNA from challenging soil samples, particularly those rich in PCR inhibitors. Using the advanced Inhibitor Removal Technology® (IRT) from QIAGEN, this kit is tailored for samples with high humic acid content. The result? High-quality RNA primed for downstream applications.

Use of the RNeasy PowerMax Soil Pro Kit results in high-yield, high-purity RNA from diverse soil sources (see figures  RNA Yields – Qubit Quantifications,  RNA Purity 260/280 Ratios). The kit also includes IRT technology for removal of PCR inhibitors (see figure  Inhibitor Sensitive RT-qPCR). Furthermore, the RNeasy PowerMax Soil Pro Kit results in high-quality RNA from various soil sources (see figures  RIN Values). 

Soil samples undergo mechanical and chemical disruption to release microbial RNA. The patent-pending IRT technology works to remove PCR inhibitors commonly found in soils, ensuring purified RNA. The RNA is then processed and eluted, ready for downstream applications.

Begin with 5–15 g of soil. Each sample undergoes homogenization in a 50 mL bead-beating tube, followed by microbial cell lysis. The addition of IRT removes inhibitory substances. Lysates are processed through the MB Maxi Spin Column where DNA is eliminated, and RNA is purified. After a series of washes, RNA is eluted in RNase-free water, ready for any downstream use.

Sample Storage and Preservation: It's crucial to preserve soil samples promptly post-collection to maintain RNA integrity. Efficient disruption and homogenization are critical to successful nucleic acid purification. Purified samples should be stored at –90 to –65°C.

The purified RNA from the RNeasy PowerMax Soil Pro Kit can be used in diverse applications including RT-PCR, qPCR, and advanced techniques such as RNAseq (metatranscriptome) analysis.