Oligosaccharides released from glycolipids by trifluoroacetolysis can be analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Carbohydrates are quantitatively released by trifluoroacetolysis of neutral glycosphingolipids that contain 4-sphingenine. During the reaction hydroxyl groups are O-trifluoroacetylated and N-acetyl hexosamines are transamidated to form N-trifluoroacetyl derivatives. Selective removal of O-trifluoroacetyl groups followed by permethylation produces derivatives with properties favorable for analysis by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Electron impact mass spectra of permethylated N-trifluoroacetylated oligosaccharide alditols are characterized by strong primary and secondary fragments in which a positive charge is localized on the N-trifluoroacetyl hexosamine residue. The method enables rapid separation and identification of components in mixtures of carbohydrate chains from glycosphingolipids containing up to six simple sugars.
D000818:Animals; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004285:Dogs; D005463:Fluoroacetates; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000032:analysis*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012756:Sheep; D014269:Trifluoroacetic Acid
D005463:Fluoroacetates; D006017:Glycolipids; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D014269:Trifluoroacetic Acid