Analytical Sciences


Abstract − Analytical Sciences, 26(7), 821 (2010).

Visualization of Spatial Distribution of γ-Aminobutyric Acid in Eggplant (Solanum melongena) by Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry
Naoko GOTO-INOUE, Mitsutoshi SETOU, and Nobuhiro ZAIMA
Department of Molecular Anatomy, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
We applied imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) to determine the spatial distribution of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). We found that GABA had a specific localization in seeds. We also visualized various biomolecules as well as GABA with higher spatial resolution than in the previous report. Our work suggests that IMS might be a powerful tool for exploring functional food factors, investigating the specific distribution of nutrients in unused natural resources, and evaluating the quality of functional foods.