Distribution of metals and metalloids in plants: Tools and techniques for efficient imaging and quantification

Abstract

Understanding the distribution of metals and metalloids at the tissue and subcellular level is essential to understanding the cellular mechanism and biological phenomenon. Knowledge about elemental distribution also helps to avoid losses due to metal toxicity as well as nutrient deficiencies in crop plant. In this regard, several tools and techniques available for efficient imaging and quantification are discussed in the present chapter. For better comprehension of convenience of particular techniques to study specific metalloids, details of metalloid's properties are also provided. The chapter provides thorough information of methods like histochemical staining commonly used to examine the distribution and accumulation of metals in tissues. Similarly, autoradiography (ARG), a technique suitable for the imaging of radioactive labeled heavy metals in biological samples, is also described. More advanced techniques like laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), proton/particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE), and neutron activation analysis (NAA) are also discussed thoroughly. Similarly, advantages and drawbacks of synchrotron based methods and differential and fluorescence tomography methods are also addressed. The information provided here will be helpful for plant biology research, food science, and genetic engineering to understand metalloids' availability and their impact on metabolic pathways. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.