Exploring the spatial distribution alterations of metabolites
during
lentil germination is essential to reveal the nutritional value, physiological
function, and metabolic pathway in lentils. Hence, an effective matrix-assisted
laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI)
method was established for the first time to visualize the spatial
localization changes of 53 metabolites in lentils during germination
for 12â72 h. The results of MALDI-MSI analysis showed that
phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylglycerols,
and phosphatidic acids were mainly located in the cotyledons of lentils
throughout the germination process, while triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholines,
diacylglycerols, amino acids, choline, and spermine spread throughout
the lentil tissue at the initial stage of germination and gradually
presented obvious distribution characteristics in the radicle with
increasing germination time. Heat map analysis was used to visualize
the correlations between lipid content changes and germination time,
which supported the use of germinated lentils as nutraceutical or
functional food.