Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Applied to Free Radicals and Reactive Oxygen Species Detection in Plant Systems

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a non-invasive and highly sensitive technique that has been extensively used for detecting free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological systems. In plant biology, ROS are highly reactive and play a critical role in regulating various cellular processes. However, detecting ROS in plant systems is challenging due to their short half-life and low concentrations. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the application of EPR for the detection of free radicals and ROS in plant systems, including a comparison with other methods. Furthermore, it explores the utilization of the spin trapping method in combination with EPR for ROS detection, providing spectroscopic parameters for numerous spin trap compounds. We highlight some of the relevant studies that used EPR spectroscopy to detect ROS, as well as stable radicals, in plant systems. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers interested in using EPR spectroscopy for free radicals and ROS detection in plant systems and provides insights into the current state of the field and future research trends.