PEF treatment effect on plant tissues of heterogeneous structure no longer an enigma: MRI insights beyond the naked eye

Alteration of cell membrane permeability by exposure of plant tissues to pulsed electric fields (PEF) is associated with physical changes in cellular and subcellular structures. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible non-uniform effect of PEF treatment due to the structural heterogeneity of plant tissues commonly used in industrial PEF applications: apple fruits, potato tubers, and carrot taproots. Spatial distribution of T2 relaxation times was measured using magnetic resonance imaging in relation to local electric field established during PEF treatment and measured by magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography. The results showed an increasingly inhomogeneous distribution of T2 relaxation times with increasing complexity of the structure (carrot > potato > apple). Feasibility and considerable potential for the use of the T2 mapping technique in the analysis of the effects of PEF on plant tissue structures was demonstrated.