Why use chloroform in DNA extraction for plant?

Chloroform is used in DNA extraction from plants primarily to facilitate the separation of DNA from proteins and other cellular debris. It helps to create a biphasic solution where DNA remains in the aqueous phase while proteins and lipids partition into the organic phase. This enhances the purity of the extracted DNA, making it suitable for downstream applications such as PCR and sequencing. Additionally, chloroform can help to remove phenolic compounds that may inhibit enzymatic reactions.