Evaluation of library preparation methods for Illumina next generation sequencing of small amounts of DNA from foodborne parasites

Highlight
• Illumina genomic libraries were made using one nanogram or less of DNA.
• Sequencing reads from ultra-low input resulted in quality genome assemblies.
• The Ovation Ultralow method produced the best libraries for Illumina sequencing.

Illumina library preparation methods for ultra-low input amounts were compared using genomic DNA from two foodborne parasites (Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Cyclospora cayetanensis) as examples. The Ovation Ultralow method resulted in libraries with the highest concentration and produced quality sequencing data, even when the input DNA was in the picogram range.