The polyphenolic distribution on different organs of Argylia radiata, an extremophile plant from the Atacama "Flowering Desert", is presented herein for the first time. For this purpose, the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extracts from leaves, tuberous root and flowers of different colors were evaluated. Orange and red flowers showed the highest polyphenolic and flavonoid content. The maximum anthocyanin concentration was found in red flowers and the antioxidant activity (FRAP) of extracts changed according to the organ. The UPLC-MS/MS analysis of the extracts allowed to identify 10 new polyphenols belonging to different families. Rutin was identified as the most abundant polyphenol in all plant organs, followed by quercetin and coumaric acid. Their role in plant response to abiotic and biotic stress, as well as their potential biotechnological application are discussed.
Keywords: Argylia radiata; antioxidant activity; extremophile plant; polyphenols.