Evaluating Time-Dependent Extraction of Exfoliated Oral Mucosal Cells from Used Toothbrushes and Miswak

Abstract

An integral part of forensic work is DNA quantification and profiling, which necessitates many highquality samples for good results. Oral mucosal cells have become an essential source of genomic DNA in epidemiological studies. The time of collecting DNA samples is a critical factor in forensic science. To compares the time-dependent extraction of DNA yield and purity from exfoliated oral epithelial cells from toothbrushes and miswak used for time intervals up to 5 months. Thirty healthy volunteers were given toothbrushes and miswak to use for six days. The used toothbrushes and miswak were collected, stored at room temperature, and analyzed immediately and at the end of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth months. Comparisons between the two independent groups of toothbrush and miswak were done by an independent two-sample t-test. The changes over time for each outcome were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. DNA yield of the exfoliated oral epithelial cell samples was higher from female samples, while DNA purity was higher in the male samples. The Miswak contained a sufficient amount of DNA similar to toothbrushes. The yield and purity are not significantly altered by storing them for at least five months at room temperature.