Limitations and challenges of using Raman spectroscopy to detect the abiotic plant stress response

Altangerel et al. (1) suggest that Raman spectroscopy can be used to detect the early abiotic stress response in plants through the measurement of anthocyanins and carotenoids in plant tissues. However, we believe there are some problems that need to be considered. First, there is insufficient evidence that Raman spectroscopy can be used to measure changes in the composition of plants during the abiotic stress response. The Raman spectral features used in the studies of Altangerel et al. (1) differ from those used in other studies. The most commonly used Raman peak for carotenoid measurement is 1,525 cm−1 (2⇓⇓–5), whereas Altangerel et al. (1) used much weaker peaks, at 1,007 and 1,157 … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: damingdong{at}hotmail.com or zhaocj{at}nercita.org.cn. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1