Mass spectrometry imaging techniques: a versatile toolbox for plant metabolomics

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a robust tool for visualizing the spatial distribution of various metabolites in complex plant tissues and cells. After appropriately preparing samples, matrix application (optional), ion sources, and mass analyzers are set, and MS images are generated by matching and processing pixel-by-pixel mass spectra. MSI techniques are selected based on sampling and/or ionization methods and strongly depend on the dimensions and properties of plant tissues and cells. These emerging MSI techniques allow for researching the genotype-associated and time-dependent specific localization and accumulation of critical metabolites in various plant tissues.