A needle-type micro-sampling device for collecting nanoliter sap sample from plants

In plant research, measuring the physiological parameters of plants is vital for understanding the behavior and response of plants to changes in the external environment. Plant sap analysis provides an approach for elucidating the physiological condition of plants. However, to facilitate accurate sap analysis, a sampling device capable of collecting sap samples from plants is required. In this paper, a minimally invasive, needle-type micro-sampling device capable of collecting nanoliter (similar to 91 nL) quantities of sap from plants is described. The developed micro-sampling system showed great reproducibility (3%) in experiments designed to assess sampling performance. As a proof of concept, sap samples were collected continuously from target plants with the microsampling system, and the dynamic changes in potassium ions, plant hormones and sugar levels inside plants were analyzed. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the micro-sampling device and its potential for developing a measurement system for plant research in the future.

Automated summary

This paper introduces a minimally invasive, needle-type micro-sampling device capable of collecting nanoliter quantities of sap from plants, showing good reproducibility in experiments and demonstrating the feasibility of continuous sap collection and analysis for dynamic changes in plant substances. The results highlight the potential of the micro-sampling device for developing a measurement system for plant research in the future.