Abstract: Objective To develop and evaluate a rapid DNA extraction method using Whatman FTA cards,in molecular identification of fungi.Methods DNA was extracted from 45 isolates encompassing 25 species and 6 clinical samples by whatman FTA cards.Then PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS₁) were conducted.Serial diluted suspension of conidia was prepared to determine the detection limit and security of this method.Results A clear DNA amplified fragment was obtained and successfully sequenced in all 45 isolates from clinical samples.The detection limit was approximately 10³ cell/ mL cembined with touchdown PCR.Suspension with less than 10⁴ cell/mL conidia could be thoroughly inactivated by FTA cards.Conclusions Whatman FTA technology thus represents an ultra-rapid method of fungal genomic DNA preparation for molecular identification from both cultures and clinical samples,and also potentially represents a powerful fungal DNA archiving and storage system.

Key words: fungi, molecular identification, FTA cards, DNA extraction methods