Metabolite monitoring in plants with double‐quantum filtered chemical shift imaging

Abstract

1H spectroscopic imaging in combination with double-quantum filtering with magnetic field gradients is used for in vivo applications in humans and animals. Because of its high selectivity and strong reduction of water signal it is also a useful tool for monitoring the distribution of specific metabolites in plants. The development and application of a double-quantum selective spectroscopic imaging sequence for detecting the sucrose distribution in the stem of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is described. The results show that local differences in sucrose distribution can be detected non-invasively with a resolution of 0.4x0.4x6 mm(3) to 0.645x0.645x6 mm(3).

Natural 4-Hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (Furaneol®)

“…Overall, substantial progress has been made towards the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway of natural furanones in micro-organisms and plants which was made possible by the application of isotopically labeled precursors. In the near future, the knowledge of the genome sequence of the woodland strawberry [91] will enable the detection of the missing genes of the HDMF pathway and improved imaging systems [92] can help to locate the furanones intracellular. Knowledge of the complete set of involved genes and enzymes would provide the foundation for the biotechnological production of natural furanones.…”