MicroED: Unveiling the Structural Chemistry of Plant Biomineralisation.

ABSTRACT: Plants are able to produce various types of crystals through metabolic processes, serving functions ranging from herbivore deterrence to photosynthetic efficiency. However, the structural analysis of these crystals has remained challenging due to their small and often imperfect nature, which renders traditional X-ray diffraction techniques unsuitable. This study explores the use of Microcrystal Electron Diffraction (microED) as a novel method for the structural analysis of plant-derived microcrystals, focusing on Armeria maritima (Milld.), a halophytic plant known for its biomineralisation capabilities. In this study, A. maritima plants were cultivated under controlled laboratory conditions with exposure to cadmium and thallium to induce the formation of crystalline deposits

SUBMITTER: Trzybinski D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11510860 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature