ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

LC–MS-based identification and quantification of antioxidant flavonoids in arctic Oxyria digyna

Neil Patrick Uy, Mira Choi, Yoo Kyung Lee, Kyoung-Soon Jang, and Sanghyun Lee

Department of Plant Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Republic of Korea

E-mail: ksjang@kbsi.re.kr

Received: 1 May 2025  Accepted: 8 October 2025

Abstract:

Arctic plants represent an emerging novel source of antioxidants owing to their adaptation to extreme environments. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and radical scavenging properties of Oxyria digyna, an Arctic plant traditionally consumed for its nutritional benefits. The ethanolic extract showed high total polyphenol (50.3 mg tannic acid equivalent/g extract) and flavonoid (29.3 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract) concentrations, with significant IC₅₀ values demonstrated in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (0.85 mg/mL) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (0.71 mg/mL) assays for radical scavenging activity. The extract was analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. A total of 33 phytochemicals were identified, of which 11 flavonoids were quantified, including schaftoside (1), isoorientin (2), myricetin 3-O-galactoside (3), orientin (4), rutin (5), isovitexin (6), isorhamnetin 3-neohesperidoside (7), hirsutrin (8), quercetin 3-O-malonylglucoside (9), quercetin 3-O-glucose-6''-acetate (10), and tiliroside (11). Of these, hirsutrin (8), rutin (5), and isoorientin (2) were the predominant constituents (19.00, 15.13, and 10.18 mg/g, respectively). These findings support the traditional use of O. digyna and demonstrate its relevance in the development of health-promoting products, especially considering its resilience to the harsh Arctic conditions.

Keywords: Arctic plant; Flavonoids; Radical scavenging; Chromatography

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04441-6

Chemical Papers 80 (1) 985–995 (2026)