Low field MRI study of the potato cell membrane electroporation by pulsed electric field

The effects of high voltage pulsed electric fields (PEF) applied to potato tubers were examined by the contrast enhanced, low field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This is a non-destructive, and relatively inexpensive method that allows to monitor the spatial distribution of damages caused by the pulses and their evolution in time. The MRI results confirmed the irreversible damage of the potato tuber cell membranes caused by the PEF treatment, leading to non-selective flow of ions. The extent of electroporation was also evaluated by electrical conductivity measurements, as well as by compression tests and compared with the MRI. On the basis of these results, the PEF method can be optimized in applications aiming at the increase of the permeability of potato cell membranes.