Does autoclaving destroy DNA

[newsnet customer]

Hi,

Does autoclaving (121C for 20mins) DNA destroy it? What I mean by "destroy" is to break the covalent bonds between adjacent nucleotides and NOT the breaking of ionic bonds between the two strands. I argue that 121C is well above the melting temperature of DNA (95C), which should do the trick.

Keep your answers short and to the point please.

Cheers,
ST