10. Mass Spectrometry of Glycosides

High-resolution mass spectrometry has become another valuable tool for characterization of simple and complex glycosides. The method is based on the collision of a high-energy electron against a sample under study producing as result a cation radical fragment known as the molecular ion, which should match with the molecular weight of the molecule. The mass spectrum also registers a number of fragments with the most intense base peak assigned a relative intensity of 100. Mass spectrometry can be applied as high and low ionization experiments, the former the most suitable for glycosides electron impact and the latter for fast atom bombardment (FAB) and electrospray ionization routine experiments for characterization of glycosides. In terms of sensitivity of the measurement this instrumental method requires a small amount of sample, even in the order of nanogram quantities.