Talanta 2025 Jul 04;297Pt A:128552. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2025.128552.

Feasibility of laser-induced breakdown spectrometry for elemental mapping in fish-mint plant (Houttuynia cordata Thunb.) leaves exposed to iron.

???displayArticle.abstract???
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) emerges as a rapid, direct analysis method requiring minimal or no sample preparation. In plant science, LIBS adds another interesting applicability, which is the possibility to obtain spatial distribution information through elemental mapping. Spatial distribution allows to verify the uptake, translocation and accumulation of elements in different plant parts, resulting in studies of metabolic pathways and phytotoxicity studies. In front of this, in this work, seedlings of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (dokudami, or fish-mint plant) were exposed via foliar application to solution of 600 μg L-1 of Fe (Fe(NO3)3∙9H2O). The total concentration of Ca, Fe, K, and Mg in the control and Fe-exposed leaves were determined by ICP OES after digestion using microwave oven and diluted oxidant mixture. The elemental mapping by LIBS covered the entire abaxial surface of the leaf with 1.5 mm of distance between the ablation points, considering a predefined point-to-point pattern. The emission intensities in each region were used to elemental mapping construction. The emission intensity of C (247.856 nm) was applied as a correction standard. The Fe exposition promoted the Ca and K accumulation, while reducing Mg levels. The elemental variation was observed by LIBS mapping, revealing applicability in biological, as well as nutritional and toxicity studies.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 40617018
???displayArticle.link??? Talanta