The Storage Stability of Total DNA in Dried Blood Samples under Different Temperatures and Sunlight Exposure

Samsonova, Jeanne V.; Saushkin, Nikolay Yu.; Gurgenova, Farida R.; Voronkova, Valery N.; Stolpovsky, Yuri A.; Piskunov, Aleksei K.

doi:10.30491/jabr.2025.531425.1886

The Storage Stability of Total DNA in Dried Blood Samples under Different Temperatures and Sunlight Exposure

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Jeanne V. Samsonova ¹^{, 2}

Nikolay Yu. Saushkin ¹

Farida R. Gurgenova ²

Valery N. Voronkova ²

Yuri A. Stolpovsky ²

Aleksei K. Piskunov ²

¹ Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

² Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Moscow, Russia

10.30491/jabr.2025.531425.1886

Abstract

Introduction: The collection of dried blood may be linked to certain problems during storage and transportation. The stability of DNA on supports other than traditional cellulose is not well known. This study aimed to directly compare natural (cellulose) and non-natural (glass fiber) membrane supports for short-term and long-term storage of dried blood samples under various temperature and sunlight conditions.
Materials and Methods: Dried blood samples on two membrane supports (cellulose and glass fiber) were examined for both short-term and long-term storage stability across temperatures from –78 °C to +60 °C. The total DNA yield was measured, and the quality of extracted DNA was verified by PCR of mtDNA D-loop. The color change of dried blood was evaluated using RGB analysis.
Results: 53-68% of total DNA was lost in frozen whole blood or dried blood stored at -20 °C and -78 °C for one year. For dried samples stored at room temperature on a shelf exposed to sunlight, the greatest total DNA degradation occurred. RGB profile analysis of dried blood showed an increase in the green component over one year. A brownish or greenish color indicates significant DNA loss. After 1.5 years, PCR for the mtDNA D-loop was successful for all samples stored at +4 °C or lower.
Conclusions: The glass fiber membrane showed advantages over cellulose regarding DNA yield and storage stability. Sunlight and high temperatures are key factors to consider when collecting and transporting dried blood samples. The blood's color can serve as an indicator of possible DNA yield: the darker the blood, the lower the DNA yield.

Keywords

Dried Blood Spots

DNA

Membranes

Cellulose

Glass fiber, Storage