A New Analytical Method for Oligosaccharides and Glycoconjugates Using Post-Source Decay Fragmentation by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Structural analyses of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates were performed by a new technique using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The sequential fragment ions of oligosaccharides were observed in the post-source decay (PSD) fragment spectra of MALDI-TOFMS. The relative ion intensity analyses of these MALDI-PSD fragment ions enable us to distinguish the structural isomers and to perform the linkage analysis. This technique is a powerful tool for fine structural analysis of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates.