Effective RNA extraction with readily available reagents: A comparative analysis of alternative protocols

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic exposed significant challenges in diagnostic laboratory workflows, where shortages of reagents and automation worsened the management of surges in testing demand. This study evaluates four direct sample preparation protocols and proposes an economical alternative RNA extraction method using generic silica columns as a feasible solution during resource scarcity. While the non-extraction protocols tested presented an elevated risk of producing false negatives, the alternative method demonstrated results statistically comparable to standard manual and automated extraction protocols (ANOVA, F=0.69, p = 0.415), with an average Ct difference of only one cycle. The protocol demonstrated reduced efficiency only at extreme viral loads and offers a cost-effective, accessible option for public health laboratories facing supply chain constraints during increasingly common epidemic pressures.