The phenol-based total protein extraction method is unique in that water-soluble components such as polyphenolic compounds and nucleic acids can be easily removed. Thus, total protein is free from contaminants and allows for high quality two–dimensional gel electrophoresis. The phenol-based extraction of total protein was used in various lily organs and may likely apply to other plants whose content of polyphenolics is high (Note 1). An additional advantage of this extraction method is that nucleic acids can be easily removed and thus, avoid adverse effects of nucleic acids on protein resolution in the gel. This method is modified from that of Hurkman and Tanaka (1986).
