Cellular‐specific detection of polyphenolic compounds by NMR‐and MS‐based techniques

Matrix‐free laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric imaging (LDI‐MSI), matrix‐free laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometric imaging (LDI‐FT‐ICR‐MSI) and a combination of laser microdissection (LMD) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) are used as high‐resolution techniques to analyse the organ‐specific distribution of polycyclic aromatic compounds in plant tissues and to locate these compounds in single plant cells. The ease of detection of these polycyclic aromatic compounds on a cellular level is shown using typical representatives of three plant families: the Hypericaceae, the Musaceae, and the Haemodoraceae. Furthermore, the phenylphenalenone‐type compounds of the Musaceae and Haemodoraceae will be discussed in greater detail