title: Spatially resolved (semi)quantitative determination of iron (Fe) in plants by means of synchrotron micro X-ray fluorescence.
abstract: Iron (Fe) is an essential element for plant growth and development; hence determining Fe distribution and concentration inside plant organs at the microscopic level is of great relevance to better understand its metabolism and bioavailability through the food chain. Among the available microanalytical techniques, synchrotron μ-XRF methods can provide a powerful and versatile array of analytical tools to study Fe distribution within plant samples. In the last years, the implementation of new algorithms and detection technologies has opened the way to more accurate (semi)quantitative analyses of complex matrices like plant materials. In this paper, for the first time the distribution of Fe within tomato roots has been imaged and quantified by means of confocal μ-XRF and exploiting a recently developed fundamental parameter-based algorithm. With this approach, Fe concentrations ranging from few hundreds of ppb to several hundreds of ppm can be determined at the microscopic level without cutting sections. Furthermore, Fe (semi)quantitative distribution maps were obtained for the first time by using two opposing detectors to collect simultaneously the XRF radiation emerging from both sides of an intact cucumber leaf.
authors: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy, roberto.terzano@uniba.it
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Terzano
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Alfeld
authors: Koen
authors: K
authors: Janssens
authors: Bart
authors: B
authors: Vekemans
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Schoonjans
authors: Laszlo
authors: L
authors: Vincze
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Tomasi
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Pinton
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Cesco
mesh_terms: D018553:Cucumis sativus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005453:Fluorescence; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis*; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017356:Synchrotrons
chemical_list: D007501:Iron