Strigolactones (SLs) are important plant hormones that are produced via the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway and occur at extremely low concentrations in various plant species. They regulate root development, play important roles in symbioses between higher plants and mycorrhizal fungi, and stimulate germination of plant-parasitic Orobanche and Striga species. Chemical analysis is central to research on the biochemistry of SLs and their roles in developmental biology and plant physiology. Here we summarize key issues relating to the identification and quantification of SLs isolated from plant tissues and exudates. The advantages and drawbacks of different protocols used for strigolactone analysis are discussed, and guidelines for selecting a procedure that will minimize losses during isolation and purification prior to final analysis are proposed. Hyphenated techniques suitable for SL analysis such as GC-MS and LC-MS/MS are also discussed, and newer ambient techniques such as HR-DART-MS and DESI-MS are highlighted as tools with considerable potential in SL research. A key advantage of these methods is that they require only simply sample preparation.

Central European Institute of Technology Mendel University in Brno Zemědělská 1 613 00 Brno Czechia

Centre of Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research Department of Genetic Resources for Vegetables Medicinal and Special Plants Crop Research Institute Šlechtitelů 29 78371 Olomouc Czechia

Centre of Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research Department of Phytochemistry Faculty of Science Palacky University Šlechtitelů 27 78371 Olomouc Czechia

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mendel University in Brno Zemědělská 1 613 00 Brno Czechia

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