The Dische test, or Dische reaction, is used to distinguish
DNA from
RNA
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes. RNA and deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) are nucleic acids. Along with lipids, proteins, and carbohydra ...
. It was invented by
Zacharias Dische
Zacharias Dische (18 February 1895 – 17 January 1988) was an American biochemist of Ukrainian-Jewish origin. He worked as a biochemical researcher in Vienna before being forced by the Anschluß to become a refugee, first in France and then in th ...
.
Method
Dische's diphenylamine reagent consists of
diphenylamine, glacial acetic acid, sulfuric acid, and ethanol.
When heated with DNA, it turns blue in the presence of DNA. A more intense blue color indicates a greater concentration of DNA.
Mechanism
The acid converts deoxyribose to a molecule that binds with diphenylamine to form a blue substance. The reagent does not interact with RNA, so can be used to distinguish DNA from RNA.
See also
*
Bial's test
References
{{reflist
Analytical reagents
Genetics techniques