Hard deposit on the toothbrush head between bristle tufts is a nidus for growth of micro-organisms, which not only affects the oral health but also affects the general health of an individual.

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VL1 is a peanut mutant with resistance to rust and susceptibility to late leaf spot (LLS). Upon ethyl methane sulphonate mutagenesis it generated high frequency of independent, but morphologically similar mutants, which were resistant to LLS and susceptible to rust. Generation of such mutants could not be fully explained through segregation analysis. Molecular analysis showed that the origin of mutant 28-2, 45 and 110 was associated with the insertion of Arachis hypogaea miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (AhMITE1) at a predetermined site (FST1-linked site). Subsequent spontaneous mutation in these three mutants generated variants [28-2(s), 45(s) and 110(s)]. They were susceptible to both LLS and rust. Origin of such variants was associated with the excision of AhMITE1 from FST1-linked site, indicating its active role in high-frequency origin of LLS resistant mutants in peanut.

Herbal remedies have a long history of use for gum and tooth problems such as dental caries. The present microbiological study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of three medicinal plants (Terminalia chebula Retz., Clitoria ternatea Linn., and Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck.) Merr.) on three pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity (Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, and Staphylococcus aureus). Aqueous extract concentrations (5%, 10%, 25%, and 50%) were prepared from the fruits of Terminalia chebula, flowers of Clitoria ternatea, and leaves of Wedelia chinensis. The antimicrobial efficacy of the aqueous extract concentrations of each plant was tested using agar well diffusion method and the size of the inhibition zone was measured in millimeters. The results obtained showed that the diameter of zone of inhibition increased with increase in concentration of extract and the antimicrobial efficacy of the aqueous extracts of the three plants was observed in the increasing order – Wedelia chinensis < Clitoria ternatea < Terminalia chebula. It can be concluded that the tested extracts of all the three plants were effective against dental caries causing bacteria.