A frequency‐selective multiple‐quantum‐coherence spectral editing pulse sequence, Ssel‐MQC, was implemented for the detection of the βH1‐glucose resonance at 4.63 ppm in rat brain in vivo. Unwanted signal suppression and glucose coherence transfer pathway selection were performed with magnetic field gradients. To optimize sensitivity, the sequence was executed with surface coil signal reception and adiabatic RF pulse transmission. The glucose editing capabilities of Ssel‐MQC were first evaluated in vitro. Ssel‐MQC achieved excellent water suppression (suppression factor >105), at the expense of an ∼60% loss of the glucose signal due to incomplete coherence transfer pathway selection. Next, the sequence was used for in vivo glucose detection in normal rat brain during D‐glucose infusion and in the brain of diabetic rats prior to and following insulin infusion. Magn Reson Med 43:621–626, 2000.