Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Gentiana kurroo Royle and Swertia chirayita (Roxb.) H. Karst., commonly found in the Indian Himalayan Region have been listed into the category of critically endangered medicinal plants. Considering the important role of chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in plant’s photosynthetic ability, the present study focuses on solvent extraction methods to compare photosynthetic pigment content in G. kurroo Royle and S. Chirayita (Roxb.) H. Karst. A higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in S. chirayita (Roxb.) H. Karst. was observed than that of G. kurroo Royle. Extraction using DMSO and methanol showed a higher content than that with water. A variation in values was observed in both the plants as they grow at different elevations implying a difference in biochemical components of the plants and requirement of different solvents for extraction