New technology identifies nutritious compounds in crops “in seconds”

14 Apr 2023 — A newly developed technique analyzes anthocyanins content in plants more quickly than conventional methods, according to a group of Japan-based researchers. The simple-to-use analytical process uses an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (PESI/MS/MS), which can support plant quality assessment and breeding. 

The technology consists of sticking a probe needle into a sample. The compounds that adhere to the probe’s tip are then ionized with high-voltage electricity and analyzed by the PESI/MS/MS.