Reasons Why a DNA Saliva
Collection kit is More Convenient

Sampling using saliva is a simple and dependable method for DNA collection. It’s a better option compared to using blood for genetic testing. More especially for patients who are nervous about having their blood collected.

A DNA test can help with identifying many things like verifying the identity of your primitive ancestors that can better help you understand the history of your family line. Some test results claim to identify your ethnicity while others give insight into your genetic predisposition for ailments and physiological features ranging from the color of your eyes to the shape of your nose.

In this day and age, it’s high time DNA saliva collection kits receive due recommendation. If you’re interested in knowing more, below are facts that represent why these kits are more convenient.

The DNA Found in Saliva Comes From White Blood Cells And Buccal Epithelial Cells

It may come as a surprise to many that there exists a lot of confusion about the source of genomic DNA in saliva. Several people think that the origin of DNA in the saliva is only from buccal epithelial cells. But research reveals that 74% of the DNA found in saliva emanates from white blood cells which happen to be a great source of big amounts of good genomic DNA. Producing a similar number of DNA per volume and the same standard of DNA as blood would. In this regard, saliva is considered equal to blood as far as genetic applications are concerned.

Most DNA From Saliva Is Originally from Human Beings

Although a majority of scientists prefer big numbers of DNA, advances in technology within downstream platforms now allow tiny amounts of DNA to be tested with a warning that mentions the DNA tested is sufficient in quality.

As previously mentioned, most DNA from saliva emanates from white blood cells. But the issue is saliva from humans also has bacteria. So when you collect DNA from saliva using DNA saliva collection kits, the collection of bacterial DNA gets collected together with the human DNA.

Compared to alternative oral sampling techniques, like mouth wash or buccal swabs, a saliva sample of 2ml collected using a good DNA saliva collection kit will produce bacterial DNA of approximately 11%, which is very low compared to mouth wash with a yield of 66% and cytobrushes that yield more than 88% bacterial DNA. If you utilize the correct salvia collection kits you can be certain that most of the DNA from the saliva will have a human origin and small bacterial content.

Saliva Can Replace Blood for DNA Tests Accurately 

Quite often the collection of blood is seen as the golden measure for collecting quality DNA, and many labs, hospitals, and clinics use it as a practice because it’s well established. But most people are not aware that replacing blood with saliva is a tried and tested method for genomic DNA testing.

Saliva collection kits are made in such a way so as to add stability to high-level molecular weight DNA by stoping bacterial expansion and degradation. Most DNA collected from saliva testing kits yield > 23kb in particle size and the quantity of bacteria has little significance practically because the DNA originates from a human.

Some studies verify that DNA taken from these test types produce DNA results that are most accurate.

Saliva DNA Collection Kits Are More Affordable Compared to DNA Collected From Blood Samples

Most health facilities that have reputable blood collection lab centers perceive the price attached to blood collection to be free. But there exist serious costs to facilitating and administering this type of sample collection in environments of this nature.

Illustratively, medical supplies, Phlebotomists, and shipping directions like containers, dry ice, and delivery overnight all contribute to a cost of approximately $40 each for individual samples, with the freezer storage excluded.

DNA extracted from saliva on the other hand come in different formats with varying stability capabilities and yields that cost about 48% – 80% less. Additional savings come into play as they also allow collection from home, basic shipping through standard mail at zero refrigeration, and room temperature.

Moreover, DNA collection from saliva is more convenient as it provides more clear benefits in storing, costing, handling, and shipping compared to blood DNA collection.

All in all, salvia is undoubtedly less pricey compared to blood DNA collection, when you think about all the cost implications that come with the blood sample collection process.

Not All DNA Saliva Collection Methods Are Created Equal

When it comes to saliva DNA collection, there are three common methods, wet, non-invasive, and dry techniques. The dry procedure demands the donor to place a buccal swab, a cytobrush, or another collection device designed to fit into the mouth where tissue taken from the cheek and gum surfaces can be extracted. These techniques collect buccal cells predominately and a high amount of bacteria that sticks to the gum line.

But DNA taken from saliva where the donor places saliva into a collection device through spitting yields a higher quality DNA result compared to oral DNA collection methodologies. A study titled “New Saliva DNA Collection Method Compared to Buccal Cell Collection Techniques for Epidemiological Studies,” mentions that comprehensive saliva collection kits provide a DNA yield that is greatly better than all other oral techniques. However, it’s still not clear whether or not all DNA saliva collection techniques are created to achieve the same results.

Conclusion

Most people are unaware of these facts that speak about DNA in saliva and the benefits of using saliva DNA collection compared to blood DNA collection kits. From reading this article we believe that we have helped to remove any misinformation that circulates continually about collecting DNA from saliva.

If you haven’t collected DNA from saliva in the past, you should feel more confident today about making an informed decision when it comes to selecting any projects that need genomic DNA analysis.

Many clinicians and researchers the world over are working with saliva because of the high-quality results its able to produce together with the fast and easy collection methods it comes with coupled with the ease in transporting these kinds testing kits.