Post-source Decay Fragment Analysis of a Highly Branched Nonasaccharide of Xyloglucan Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Abstract A highly branched nonasaccharide of xyloglucan was analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS post-source decay fragment analysis. The fragmentation occurred only at glycosidic bonds at the non-reducing terminal side of the glycosidic oxygen. In the MALDI-PSD fragment spectrum, almost all fragment ions, possibly produced by a three-site cleavage, were observed. The large amount of fragment mass information allowed us to determine the sequentially fine structure of the highly branched oligosaccharide.