the present invention provides rna extraction reagents , methods and kits that are especially useful for extracting rna . the reagents , methods and kits of the present invention are especially useful for extracting rna , for example , cytoplasmic rna , from difficult materials , from plants , especially , difficult plant tissues , such as those containing phenolics , tannins , polysaccharides and resins . comparative high yields are obtainable according to the present invention when compared to conventional reagents and methods . the rna preparations obtained in accordance with the present invention are also of high quality as demonstrated by superior a 260 / 280 results and by gel electrophoresis .