Buccal swab samples have gained popularity in genetic research due to their speed, painlessness, and low cost. This study aimed at comparing DNA concentrations obtained from buccal swab samples between males and females in the Volta Region of Ghana. To extract DNA for analysis, buccal swab samples were taken from a cohort of 125 males and 115 females in this investigation. A nanodrop spectrophotometer was used to detect DNA amounts in the collected samples, which were then compared between males and females. Statistical analysis found no significant difference between the two groups in mean DNA concentration. The analysis of the buccal samples, on the other hand, indicated a significant challenge: a significant percentage of samples had low A260:230 ratios, particularly among the female participants. This finding shows that female samples were more susceptible to contamination. On the contrary, 25% of the total samples had acceptable levels of protein impurities [~1.8(1.7-2.0)] while 75% had unacceptable levels of protein impurities. The retention of pollutants during the mouthwash procedure before collecting the buccal swab may have been caused by insufficient supervision, which would have compromised the DNA's quality. Through modifications in the composition of the oral microbiota, lifestyle variables including diet and smoking may introduce pollutants. The DNA extraction technique used in this investigation may have impacted DNA purity and concentration by using a variety of reagents that contained contaminants or chemical residues.

Keywords: Buccal swab, DNA, Protein impurities, Salt impurities, Contamination.