Analysis of Plant Root Exudates

Introduction of plant root exudates analysis services

During plant growth and development, the root system is not only an absorptive and metabolic organ, but also a powerful secretory organ. These compounds, including sugars, organic acids, amino acids, phenolics, polypeptides and proteins, alcohols, hormones and enzymes, which are secreted by plant roots into rhizosphere soil, are called root exudates. They are an important medium for the exchange of material, energy and information between the plant and the soil microenvironment. Therefore, the analysis of root exudates is critical for research in the fields of plant nutrition, chemosensory effects and environmental remediation.

The uptake and utilization of root secretions by microorganisms in the soil, as well as the complexity and low content of root secretion components, make it difficult to extract and analyze root exudates effectively. Modern approaches to the study of plant-microbial interactions generally rely on analytical techniques to decipher the complexity of root exudate components. Rapid advances in the field of metabolomic analysis offer the possibility of isolating, characterizing and quantifying root-exuded metabolites.

Fig.1 Scheme of MALDI MSI of roots. (Casas, 2021)