Data from: MiFish data from river and sea water concentrated using glass fiber filters, Sterivex, and QuickConc

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is effective for non-invasive
biodiversity monitoring, revealing species distribution and abundance
without ecosystem disruption. Concentration, extraction, and preservation
are three essential steps in the eDNA analysis process. Among these, the
concentration of eDNA has gained significant research interest,
particularly due to the variability of water samples used in studies. To
date, various methods for eDNA concentration have been developed,
including glass fiber filtration, Sterivex filters, and passive samplers.
However, no single method is universally applicable because of the
variability in eDNA presence and water characteristics, such as turbidity.
Therefore, the development of alternative eDNA concentration methods is
crucial for advancing eDNA research. This research introduces QuickConc, a
novel nucleic acid capture method that combines benzalkonium chloride
(BAC) with dispersed glass fibers. Our results indicate that this approach
enhances eDNA capture sensitivity by likely improving the interaction
between silica and eDNA. QuickConc was tested in three environments, using
metabarcoding and qPCR. Species-specific qPCR results showed that
QuickConc detected 2 to 3 times higher copy numbers compared to glass
fiber filter and Sterivex methods. Metabarcoding analyses using the MiFish
method revealed that the number of fish species detected in river water
was higher with QuickConc, compared to other methods, while in sea water,
the number of fish species was at a similar level compared to other
methods. QuickConc offers new options in eDNA analysis, providing a more
sensitive and easily deployable approach to biodiversity monitoring and
conservation strategies.