Mass spectrometry imaging: Applications and advances in analyzing bioactive components in foods

Bioactive food components, such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, alkaloids, etc., are the important material basis for the health effects of food. The distribution of these components in food raw materials, along with their migration and transformation during processing and post-absorption metabolic behavior, directly determines their nutritional value and bioactivity. Advances in modern analytical techniques have enabled researchers to investigate the spatial distribution patterns of bioactive food components and their interaction mechanisms with biological systems more comprehensively. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), an emerging spatial histology tool, offers a novel perspective for studying the mechanisms of bioactive food factors. By leveraging in situ, label-free molecular imaging capabilities, MSI visualizes the spatial distribution of functional compounds within food matrices, providing critical technical support for analyzing their biological activities and metabolic pathways. This paper systematically reviews recent advancements in MSI principles and workflows for bioactive food component research, while addressing current technological challenges, such as high hardware costs, signal interference from complex matrices, and limited sensitivity for trace-level analytes. Future integration of high-resolution mass spectrometry with artificial intelligence algorithms is expected to enhance the potential of MSI in tracking in vivo nutrient metabolism and designing targeted nutrient delivery systems.