Electric field distribution in relation to cell membrane electroporation in potato tuber tissue studied by magnetic resonance techniques

•Determined electric field distribution in PEF treated potatoes is not symmetrical.•Multiparametric MRI can distinct two different EP processes in treated potatoes.•Electric field from 200 to 400 V/cm increases T2 values in comparison to control.•T2 values are linearly increasing with electric field exceeding 400 V/cm.

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) enables determination of electric field distribution during electroporation in which cell membrane permeability is increased by application of an external high electric field. In this study, MREIT was performed for the first time to predict electroporated areas in a pulsed electric field (PEF) treated vegetable tissue. The study was performed on potato tubers using different amplitudes of electric pulses and results were evaluated also by means of multiparametric MRI. MREIT determined regions of electric field distribution corresponded to visible darkened areas of the treated potatoes, as well to the results of multiparametric MRI. Results of this study suggest that MREIT could be used as an efficient tool for improving the effectiveness of PEF treatment applications.Industrial relevanceThis study presents a method capable of determining electric field distribution during PEF treatment using magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography. The method has a practical value as it can potentially enable monitoring of the outcome of PEF applications which strongly depends on local electric field. Measurement of electric field distribution would enable detection of insufficient electric field coverage before the end of the PEF treatment, thus increasing and assuring its effectiveness.