Improved Micro-X-ray Fluorescence Confocal Imaging of Two-Dimensional Distribution of Arsenic Concentration in Cucumber Hypocotyls Using Synchrotron Radiation

Abstract

An optimized micro-X-ray fluorescence confocal imaging (μXRF-CI) analytical method has been developed to determine the 2D distribution of elemental composition in small (1–3 mm) biological objects at a 10–20 μm spatial resolution. Plants take up chemical elements from soil, and the vascular system transports them toward shoots. In order to obtain biochemical information related to this biological process, 2D distributions of chemical elements in roots and in hypocotyls of cucumber plants were analyzed by synchrotron radiation based on micro-X-ray fluorescence computer tomography and μXRF-CI techniques. The experiments were carried out at HASYLAB Beamline L of the DORIS-III storage ring in Hamburg, a facility that provided optimal physical conditions for developing and performing these unique analyses: high flux monochromatic synchrotron beam, X-ray optical elements, precision moving stages, and silicon drift detectors. New methodological improvements and experimental studies were carried out for applicability of lyophilized samples and cryo-cooling. Experimental parameters were optimized to maximize the excitation yield of arsenic Kα radiation and improvement of the spatial resolution of the μXRF-CI analytical method.

Facilitating Seed Iron Uptake through Amine-Epoxide Microgels: A Novel Approach to Enhance Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Germination

“…The excitation mode is exceptionally well-suited for examining biological samples within the micrometer to the millimeter size range. 50 Therefore, synchrotron-based XRF was employed to precisely determine the spatial distribution of Fe at the seed coat–embryo interface. A comparison of the seed primers with water, Fe solution, and micro-PPO-Fe (at the concentration of Fe 100 mg L –1 ) is shown in Figure 6 .…”

“…In this scenario, synchrotron radiation stands out as one of the foremost sources renowned for its ability to attain the best geometric resolution and detection limits. The excitation mode is exceptionally well-suited for examining biological samples within the micrometer to the millimeter size range . Therefore, synchrotron-based XRF was employed to precisely determine the spatial distribution of Fe at the seed coat–embryo interface.…”

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and its special applications

“…Szaloki et al 26 presented an optimised confocal μXRF analytical approach for determining the 2D distribution of elements in small (1–3 mm) biological objects at a 10–20 μm spatial resolution. A novel quantitative algebraic reconstruction model for confocal μXRF spectrometry datasets was based on an FPM algorithm optimised specifically for the monochromatic SR beam analysis of weakly absorbing biological samples.…”

A Green Approach Based on Micro-X-ray Fluorescence for Arsenic, Micro- and Macronutrients Detection in Pteris vittata

“…Toxic elements, especially As and its compounds, may strongly influence the metabolic processes of plants [46]. However, we have shown that by combining XRF, FP and PCA, it is possible to perform quantitative estimation of the elements with a correlation between As content and nutrient concentrations.…”