GNPS Mass Spectrometry Imaging technique reveals defense secondary metabolites involved in Theobroma cacao - Moniliophtora perniciosa interaction in cacao fruits

This study aims to present Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) as a fast and easily-handle sample analysis to screen potential metabolites involved in the T. cacao fruits - M. perniciosa interaction and gain insights into the infection process. The analytical techniques MSI and HPLC-MS/MS were combined in the study and allowed efficient detection of the metabolites clovamide, astragalin, fructose, phlorin, isovitexin, vicenin-2, sucrose, EPEA, mannitol, and abscisic acid, which presented altered concentration in response to M. perniciosa infection, further confirmed by statistical data.