title: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry of pollen grains and their mixtures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The fast and univocal identification of different species in mixtures of pollen grains is still a challenge. Apart from microscopic evaluation and Raman spectroscopy, no other techniques are available.
  
  
  METHODS
  Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry was applied to the analysis of extracts of single pollen grains and pollen mixtures. Pollen grains were fixed, treated and covered with matrix directly on the MALDI target.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clearly resolved MALDI ion intensity images could be obtained enabling the identification of single pollen grains in a mixture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrate the potential and the suitability of MALDI imaging mass spectrometry as an additional method for the identification of pollen mixtures.
authors.affiliation: BAM-Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Richard Willstaetter-Strasse 11, D-12489, Berlin, Germany. steffen.weidner@bam.de
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weidner
authors.forename: Rolf-Dieter
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Schultze
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Enthaler
mesh_terms: D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods; D011058:Pollen / Q000737:chemistry*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*