A method for extracting intact chloroplast and cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA from leaves. 

 -  BioChemical and biophysical Research Communications, 51(4), p.993-999, 1973 .
<br/><br/> A method is described for extracting intact chloroplast and cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA from leaves of two higher plant species. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (1percent)and 25 mM magnesium ions are required to inhibit ribonuclease action during RNA purification by phenol deproteinization. The ethanol-precipitated RNA product, including 23s chloroplast ribosomal RNA, is completely stable during electrophoresis in the absence of magnesium ions, even in the presence of EDTA. The -i-n vivo mole fraction of chloroplast ribosomes relative to cytoplasmic ribosomes is estimated. Bentonite is shown to cause preferential losses of chloroplast RNA during extraction.