Comparing1H‐NMR imaging and relaxation mapping of German white asparagus from five different cultivation sites

• DOI: 10.1002/jpln.200625114
• Publication Date: 2007-02-22T14:09:31Z
• Authors: Marion I. Menzel; Ana‐Maria Oros‐Pe...; Andreas Pohlmeier; N. Jon Shah; Ulrich Schurr; Heike U. Schneider
• Keywords: Asparagus

Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and complementary analytical techniques were used to address the question whether white asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis L.) from different cultivation sites in Germany can be distinguished on basis of NMR relaxation times. Five locations with contrasting soil properties composition within two asparagus‐cultivation regions Rhineland Lower Franconia selected for this project. For first time, entire plants their authentic environment excavated directly original harvest site imaged by technique. However, they could not employed determination times spears situ , because artifacts arising properties. Instead, market‐ready freshly prepared spear saps five acquire MRI data sets (slow fast) methods compute spatially resolved distributions (maps) T 1 2 * Comparison pith, vascular tissue, peel yielded only marginal, if any, differences between specimens locations, which sufficient an unambiguous region‐related distinction. More pronounced visible saps, allowing a clear distinction individual each regions. The results are discussed terms application potential correlated tissue future geographic authentication agricultural produces.