Pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment induces membrane permeabilization and modifies transport processes in plant tissues. However, the extent to which tissue characteristics influence PEF treatment efficacy and post-treatment mechanisms like water distribution remain poorly understood despite their importance for mass transfer processes, extraction efficiency or the performance of other subsequent processing operations. In this study, spatially resolved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to investigate PEF-induced changes in water mobility in sweet potato, potato, carrot, broccoli, and red beetroot tissues. Maps of T2 relaxation times were analysed before and after varying PEF treatment conditions to characterize tissue- and treatment-specific changes in water mobility.Distinct response patterns were observed among the investigated materials. Sweet potato exhibited a treatment-intensity-dependent response, with T2 convergence at lower treatment intensities and a reversal of the initial tissue-specific differences at higher intensities. Potato showed increasing divergence of T2 relaxation times between tissue regions after treatment. In contrast, carrot displayed a progressive convergence of T2 relaxation times, suggesting homogenization of water mobility. Broccoli exhibited orientation-dependent changes, while red beetroot retained pronounced compartmentalization, indicating that increased water mobility was not accompanied by homogenization of the tissue.These results demonstrate the value of spatially resolved MRI for evaluating PEF-induced water mobility changes or transport phenomena. Tissue architecture, composition, and anisotropy may substantially influence post-PEF water redistribution. This highlights the importance of raw-material-specific process optimization, as spatially resolved information on tissue responses may complement conventional electrical measurements and support a more targeted selection of PEF treatment conditions.
