2.6.3. DNA Quantification

DNA quantification was assessed using Quant-iT™ PicoGreen® dsDNA Reagent and Kit (Life Technologies, Eugene, OR, USA), according to the manufacturer´s instructions. Triplicates of each condition collected at 1, 14, 21 and 28 days were evaluated. The specimens were collected, 1 mL of sterile distilled water was added, and then samples were stored at −80 ◦C until further analysis. Prior quantification, the samples were defrosted and sonicated for 15 min. To extrapolate the DNA values for each sample, a set of standards were prepared with concentrations ranging from 0 to 1.5 μg/mL. The fluorescence of each sample was measured on an opaque 96-well plate using an excitation of 485/20 nm and an emission of 528/20 nm, using a microplate reader (Synergy HT, BioTek, Winooski, VT, USA).
