This study determines the antimicrobial efficacy of miswak (aqueous and alcoholic) extracts comparing with five different toothpastes, which are available in Iraqi market, against different kinds of bacteria. The antibacterial efficacy of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Salvadora persica and different kinds of toothpastes was studied against different cariogenic and pathogenic bacteria including Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by well diffusion method. Salvodora persica extracts and toothpastes exhibited the greatest antimicrobial activities towards Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. Alcoholic extract was dominant on aqueous extract in inhibiting the tested microorganisms. Toothpastes A were dominant comparing with the other toothpastes in inhibiting the tested microorganisms. The impact of toothpastes was almost more than Salvodora persica extracts on tested microorganisms. According to the good efficacy of Salvodora persica extracts on the tested microorganisms, it has antibacterial effects and could be used as a therapeutic agent and therefore, it appears to be a potent antimicrobial agents that could be considered as a medicinal plant.

The present study deal with determination of Se:Hg ratio in six fish species collected from Shatt Al-Arab river during the period June 2010 to Augest 2010. Muscles of the most important six commercial species of fish C. Carpio, B. luteus, L. abu, T. zilli, B. sharpeyi and T. ilisha have been analyzed after wet digestion with a mixture of concentrated acids (HClO4 / HNO3).The obtained results show that L. abu species having the highest Se:Hg ratio, while B. luteus species having the lowest Se:Hg ratio. Tissues analysis (skin, gills, kidney, liver, muscles) of B. sharpeyi reveals that skin accumulates the highest Se:Hg ratio levels, while muscles contained the lowest Se:Hg ratio. The values obtained are compared with literature data and selenium contents in fish muscle.