Enhanced structural information on oligosaccharides by scan of linked magnetic and electrostatic fields (B/E) and neutral gas collision fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS).

Homo- and hetero-oligosaccharides 1-27, composed of hexopyranose, deoxyhexopyranose, deoxyfluorohexopyranose, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxyhexopyranose units, have been examined by fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry. Scans by linked magnetic and electrostatic (B/E) fields of quasi-molecular [M+H] ions, or scans combined with helium collision, gave rise to structurally significant ions. The information thus obtained aids significantly in the sequence analysis of oligosaccharides without derivatization.