Appraisal of Sims applicability to boron studies in plants

• Published in: Microscopy research and technique Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 104 - 110
• Main Authors: Dérue, Cedric, Gibouin, David, Verdus, Marie-Claire, Lefebvre, Fabrice, Demarty, Maurice, Ripoll, Camille, Thellier, Michel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.07.2002; Wiley
• Subjects: 10B; 11B; analytical imaging; Boron - metabolism; Engineering Sciences; flax; Flax - metabolism; Hypocotyl; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Isotopes; isotopic ratio; Life Sciences; Materials; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plant Roots - metabolism; plants; Spectrometry, Mass, Secondary Ion - methods; 11B; 10B; Isotopic ratio; Plants; Flax; Analytical imaging
• ISSN: 1059-910X; 1097-0029
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.10125

In the search for a new methodological approach applicable to the determination of the still poorly known primary role of boron in plant physiology, we have undertaken to appraise the potential of the SIMS method for the analytical imaging of the boron isotopes, 10B and 11B, at physiological concentrations in plants. With our own, CAMECA IMS4F SIMS ion analyser, and using O2+ as primary ions for the detection of B+ (plus 12C+ and 40Ca+) secondary ions, we have been able to map quantitatively the two boron isotopes in control and boron‐enriched plants, to evaluate boron concentrations at the level of individual cells and to determine boron isotopic ratios. This provides the opportunity to carry out the simultaneous labeling and imaging of boron, using enrichment with the stable isotopes, 10B and 11B. The method has also the potential for the simultaneous, quantitative detection of the boron isotopes and of the borate‐binding sites in plant cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:104–110, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.