The present invention relates to a process for purifying nucleic acids, particularly
plasmid DNA, from a liquid sample, which contains endotoxins in addition to nucleic acids. The invention involves a process for purifying nucleic acids from a biological sample containing nucleic acids, preferably
plasmid DNA, comprising the following steps: a) providing a liquid sample comprising nucleic acids and endotoxins; b) precipitating the nucleic acids and the endotoxins or binding the nucleic acids and the endotoxins on a
solid carrier and thereby separating them from the remaining components of the liquid sample; c) optionally washing the precipitate or
solid carrier from step b) at least once to further remove remaining components; d) treating the nucleic acids and endotoxins separated in step b), optionally after washing in step c), using a purifying buffer for at least partial removal of the endotoxin; e) optionally washing the precipitate or the
solid carrier in step d) at least once with at least one washing composition, and f) optionally collecting the nucleic acids, optionally by eluting from the solid carrier or dissolving the precipitated
nucleic acid; wherein the purifying buffer in step d) comprises an amino compound selected from the group consisting of
triethylamine,
triethanolamine, 2-[Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-(
hydroxymethyl)
propane-1,3-
diol, 1,3-bis[
tris(
hydroxymethyl)methvlamino]
propane, 2-amino-2-(
hydroxymethyl)-
propane-1,3-
diol, and individual salts thereof, said amino compound having a total concentration in the range of 1.1 to 5.0 mol / L, an
alcohol capable of dissolving the amino compound in a total amount of 30 to 70 % by weight based on the total weight of the purifying buffer, and water, wherein the purifying buffer has a pH in the range from 3.0 to 8.0.