Metabolite monitoring in plants with double-quantum filtered chemical shift imaging

H-1 spectroscopic imaging in combination with double-quantum filtering with magnetic field gradients is used for in vivo applications in humans and an imals. Because of its high selectivity and strong reduction of water signal it is also a useful tool for monitoring the distribution of specific metab olites in plants. The development and application of a double-quantum selec tive spectroscopic imaging sequence for detecting the sucrose distribution in the stem of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L,) is described. The resu lts show that local differences in sucrose distribution can be detected non -invasively with a resolution of 0.4 x 0.4 x 6 mm(3) to 0.645 x 0.645 x 6 m m(3).