Compositions comprising polidocanol and derivatives

This invention relates to a composition comprising a chaotropic agent, a buffering substance, and 0.5 to 5% (V/V) polidocanol or a derivative thereof. The invention is further related to uses of this composition and to a kit comprising the composition according to the invention. The invention is further related to a method for the detection of a nucleic acid in a biological sample comprising the steps of incubating the biological sample in the presence of a chaotropic agent, a buffering substance, and 0.5 to 5% (V/V) polidocanol or a derivative thereof, optionally isolating the nucleic acid, optionally amplifying the nucleic acid, and detecting the nucleic acid. The invention is further related to a method for the purification of a nucleic acid in a biological sample comprising the steps of incubating the biological sample in the presence of a chaotropic agent, a buffering substance, and 0.5 to 5% (V/V) polidocanol or a derivative thereof and isolating the nucleic acid thereby purifying the nucleic acid.