Ramji et al. demonstrated the
antibacterial effects of phenolics from P. betle on obligately anaerobic oral bacteria Fusobacterium
nucleatum ATCC 25586, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 and Peptostreptococcus
anaerobius ATCC27337 [9]. These microorganisms produce volatile sulphur compounds
responsible for halitosis. On the other hand, the crude aqueous extract of P. betle leaves caused
a decrease in acid production and changes to the ultrastructure of Streptococcus mutans, which
may have an anticariogenic effect [10]. In addition to antibacterial activities against S. aureus,
the crude essential oil was also shown to have activities against the yeasts Candida albicans and
Malassezia pachidermatis [11].