Novel Applications of Chemical Imaging, an Outstanding Technology

Prof. Dr. Rodinei Augusti
Dept. of Chemistry, Federal
Guest Editor of this issue

Prof. Dr. Valderi Dressler
Dept. of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
Guest Editor of this issue

“The spatial distribution of a specific chemical component in a given sample constitutes a precious piece of information.”

Rodinei Augusti, an enthusiast for the progress of chemistry in Brazil, kindly spoke to BrJAC

Prof. Dr. Rodinei Augusti
Dept. of Chemistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil

“Regarding the most recent advances in chemical research in Brazil, I think that great achievements are being obtained aiming at improving people's quality of life.”

Valderi Dressler, a great admirer of young Brazilian scientists, kindly granted BrJAC an interview

Prof. Dr. Valderi Dressler
Dept. of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

“I see that chemistry does not excite young people as it did when I started my degree. A likely explanation for this is the emergence of new professions and technologies.”

Chemical Imaging – Is an Image Always Worth a Thousand Spectra?

Prof. Dr. Alessandra Sussulini
Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil

“Analytical chemistry advances in chemical imaging allow the acquisition of images with high spatial resolution, which is particularly interesting when … Nevertheless, there are some drawbacks in chemical imaging that demand further analytical development, such as the long analysis time and the lack of certified reference materials for quantitative analysis and method validation, as well as open-source software with advanced multivariate statistical analysis tools.”

Past, Present, and Future of X-ray Fluorescence Chemical Imaging

Prof. Dr. Hudson Wallace Pereira de Carvalho
Center of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil

“Elemental chemical images reveal how the elements are distributed in a sample. While it may sound useless for a homogeneous solution, it is crucial for understanding properties of heterogeneous systems, such as a rock, a cereal grain, or a painting. In such cases, revealing the chemical composition of parts of the sample might reveal the distribution of minerals, nutrients, or toxic elements. All strategies for measuring the spatial distribution of elements require…”

BrJAC editors are grateful to all those who have reviewed papers in 2022 using significant time and effort to provide constructive inputs.

Desorption Electrospray Ionization Imaging for Neurotransmitters evaluation: A Potential Approach to Parkinson’s Disease Monitoring

Lanaia Ítala Louzeiro Maciel, Rafael Oliveira Martins, Daniel Vieira Gondim, João Victor Ataíde Oliveira, Julia Dias Pereira, Gustavo Nicolau Pereira, Leonardo Matos Ferreira, Andréa Rodrigues Chaves, Boniek Gontijo Vaz

This review aims to bring a discussion of some desorption electrospray ionization methodologies reported in the literature for the assessment of neurotransmitters associated with Parkinson's disease.

Mass Spectrometry Imaging for Vegetables: A Review
Camila Cristina Almeida de Paula

In this review, the use of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) was addressed, focusing on the study of plant tissues, especially vegetables. The potential of the MSI techniques to provide information about primary and secondary metabolites in plant tissue, as well as chemical responses associated with external stimuli, can be demonstrated through published works that employ different ionization sources such as SIMS, MALDI and DESI and their modifications.

Qualitative Imaging of Elemental Spatial Distribution in Stalagmites through Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Danielle da Silva Francischini, Renata Stábile Amais, Nicolás Misailidis Stríkis, Marco Aurélio Zezzi Arruda

This study aimed to optimize the laser ablation parameters through a multivariate approach, as well as evaluating the impact of ablation speeds and the use of an internal standard on the spatial resolution in the analysis of stalagmites by LA-ICP-MS. The obtained images can contribute for the understanding of environmental issues.

Exploring Bacterial Resistant Metabolism by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Milena Cristina Vieira Fernandes, André Luiz Melo Camelo, Pedro Henrique Vendramini, Marcelo Brocchi, Ana Valéria Colnaghi Simionato

This work presents matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) study of colonies of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, as a proof of concept of the technique for obtaining images of bacteria colonies. Images of methicillin-resistant and susceptible colonies of Staphylococcus aureus were obtained by a sublimation process to apply the MALDI matrix on the samples followed by MALDI-MSI analysis.

Mass Spectrometry Imaging for Fungal Interaction Analysis: Classic versus Imprinting Methods
Tallyta Santos Teixeira, Jorge Candido Rodrigues Neto, Elias Alves Silva, Aparecido Almeida Conceição, Félix Gonçalves de Siqueira, Patrícia Verardi Abdelnur

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interactions between the fungi Aspergillus terreus (ATCC® 20542TM) and Pleurotus pulmonarius (BRM 055674) through mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), comparing the classic and imprinting methods to fungal analysis, and adding information about the visible morphological.

Imaging of Trace Elements Distribution in Rice by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
Cristian Killing Pereira, Vinicius Machado Neves, Graciela Marini Hidrich, Henrique Faccin, Dirce Pozebon, Valderi Luiz Dressler

The purpose of the present work was to determine and evaluate the spatial distribution of Mg, Mn, Cu, Co, Fe, Zn, As, Sr, Sb, Ba and Pb in white, parboiled, and whole rice grains. The work is based on quantitative analysis using of LA-ICP-MS to obtain images of elements concentrations distribution in the grains.

Application of Mass Spectrometry Imaging in Evaluating the Spatial Distribution of Aminoacids and Sugars in Basil Leaves upon Long-Time Exposure to Cadmium
Vânia de Lourdes G. Teles, Pedro H. Vendramini, Rodinei Augusti, Letícia M. Costa

The present study aims to evaluate porous membranes or TLC plates as substrates for imprinting different cadmium-contaminated basil leaves. Images of aminoacids and sugars are generated by DESI-MSI and an investigation of the plant's ability to defend against this toxic metal is conducted.

Application of Digital Imaging Allied to Chemometrics in the Use of Non-destructive Phenotyping of Sesame Seeds
Wilson Botelho do Nascimento Filho, Mirla Janaina Augusta Cidade, Francisco dos Santos Panero, Oscar José Smiderle

In this article, digital image processing and analysis (DIPA) combined with chemometric methods, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used to discriminate sesame seeds through their digitized images. The results achieved indicate that the proposed methodology can be a simple analytical alternative for the non-destructive phenotypic discrimination of seeds, with their color as an attribute.

“Centro Infantil Boldrini” is considered a Brazilian Reference in Child Oncology

The “Centro Infantil Boldrini” is a philanthropic teaching hospital affiliated to the University of Campinas (SP, BRA) that offers high technology for diagnosis and a complete infrastructure of care. Different lines of research permeate its daily routine, stimulating new discoveries in pediatric oncology and hematology.

20th Brazilian Meeting on Analytical Chemistry (ENQA) and 8th Ibero-American Congress of Analytical Chemistry (CIAQA)

The 20th ENQA - 8th CIAQA had more than 800 participants from virtually all the states of Brazil, as well as more than 20 foreign speakers from 10 countries (Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, USA and Uruguay).

High Resolution in Mass and Space: AP-SMALDI coupled with Orbitrap Exploris Mass Spectrometer for MS Imaging
Bernhard Spengler, Karl Christian Schäfer, Max Alexander Müller, Domenic Dreisbach, Julian Schneemann, Kerstin Strupat

High resolution in mass and space is achieved by Atmospheric-Pressure Scanning microprobe Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (AP-SMALDI) coupled with Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ mass spectrometers.

High Resolution Elemental Mapping of Biological Samples by High Sensitivity, Fast-Scanning LA-ICP-MS

Lothar Rottmann, Julian D. Wills, Bo Yan, Catherine E. Costello, Lee E. Goldstein, Dhinesh Asogan

The purpose of this report is to demonstrate the use of LA-ICP-MS for high spatial resolution metallomic imaging mass spectrometric analysis of biospecimens relevant to medical research on traumatic brain injury.

Chemical imaging applied in forensic science using the Phenom Perception GSR

Phenom Perception GSR desktop, by Thermo Fisher Scientific, is a completely automated specific solution to forensics science. This microscope combines SEM and EDS techniques, which permits it to be used for many forensics applications. Among the several analyses that Phenom can perform, it is important highlight the imaging with chemical analysis.

Leading performance – Orbitrap Exploris 240 Mass Spectrometer

Designed into the fourth-generation quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer, the Thermo Scientific Exploris™ 240 delivers the performance and versatility needed to drive discovery and identification with the quantitative precision and accuracy to confidently scale up while achieving impact.

Thermo Scientific iCAP RQ ICP-MS – Simplicity, productivity and robustness for routine labs in agribusiness

This innovative single quadrupole ICP-MS is particularly suited to the analysis of food, simultaneously determining trace level contaminants and macro level nutrients. This system provides a simple, robust, multielement analysis method for a wide range of several agricultural samples.

Phenom Perception GSR Desktop SEM

Thermo Scientific Phenom Perception GSR Desktop SEM is the only dedicated SEM specifically designed for gunshot residue analysis. Because the system is automated, it enables you to speed up the analysis process. With no need to change your settings each time, you can immediately focus on the task at hand.

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