Review: Application of libs to elemental analysis and mapping of plant samples

Abstract

Trace minerals and metallic elements play a key role in plant metabolism and function. Therefore, it is important to understand the movement and distribution of trace minerals within various parts of plants in order to understand their metabolic pathways. Information on the localization of minerals can be utilized in the fields of plant science, agriculture, and food technologies. In this context, herein, we review the feasibility of application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a technique for trace element detection and mapping in different plant matrices. LIBS is a well-established technique that can be used to perform rapid multi-elemental detection in various types of samples, including plants. Owing to the unique capabilities of LIBS, its field applications are growing rapidly, particularly in the area of plant science. Here, our primary emphasis is on the quantitative and qualitative elemental imaging of different varieties of plant species that are of importance as medicines and foodstuffs. In this review article, we present an exhaustive survey of recent developments, including technical advances and recent work involving the detection of nanoparticles in plant samples and in the monitoring of soil content. The future potential of LIBS and the viability of its possible applications to the detection of essential minerals and heavy metals in plants used as foods or of medicinal importance are also discussed.