Visualization of Mobile Components by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Key Points

• The aim is to overcome challenges in locating mobile components in plant samples during preparation processes.
• Combines cryogenic fixation and cryo-time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (Cryo-TOF-SIMS)
• Analyzes secondary ions from various mobile components like metals, sugars, and lipids
• Uses Ar-GCIB technology for high-resolution 3D analysis
• Differences in distribution of coniferyl and sucrose within the forming layers were visualized
• Documented changes in xylem content according to differentiation stages
• Identified high-density storage domains of coniferyl adjacent to cell walls in differentiating xylem