Development of a high-coverage matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging method for visualizing the spatial dynamics of functional metabolites in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.

•A high-coverage MALDI-MSI method was developed for plant tissue analysis.•BNDM was optimized as a new matrix for MALDI-MSI of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.•Acetone washing improves the sensitivity of MALDI-MSI.•Spatial feature and dynamics of metabolites in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge were imaged.