Monosaccharide composition and carbohydrates linkage identification in cereal brans using UHPLC/QqQ-DMRM-MS

A rapid detection method employing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in dynamic multiple reaction mode (UHPLC/QqQ-DMRM-MS) for exploring monosaccharide composition of cereal brans and linkages in bran polysaccharides was used. The monosaccharides were analyzed simultaneously in a 10 min run after derivatization with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP). Cereals in the study included wheat, barley, sorghum, and millet. The bran from the cereals was modified through particle size reduction (1 mm and 2 mm) and enzyme modification (Xylanase and Cellulase). Out of 14 monosaccharides analyzed, glucose, arabinose and xylose were found in highest proportions in all types of bran samples. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was used for identification of linkage positions in cereal bran polysaccharides. The linkage analysis indicated prevalence of 6-glucose, 4-glucose, terminal glucose, and terminal arabinose linkages in all types of bran samples.