273-277The study aim was to evaluate the concentration of
mineral elements and antimicrobial activity of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">Swertia cordata
(G. Don) Clarke aerial parts and roots. Macro minerals, viz. sodium,
potassium, calcium, lithium were estimated by
Flame Photometer while micro minerals, viz. iron, copper, manganese, zinc and
cobalt were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Among all the
elements, highest concentration of potassium was recorded in both aerial parts
(385.6 mg/100 g) and roots (421.3 mg/100 g) of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">S. cordata. Methanol extract of both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">S. cordata aerial parts and roots obtained by Soxhlet extraction
were screened for their antimicrobial activity against 6 bacteria and 2 fungi
using disc diffusion method. The results showed that both the extracts
exhibited moderate antibacterial activity while roots showed good antifungal
activity against Candida albicans
(ZOI =20 mm)