title: Application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to insoluble glucose oligomers in decomposed cellulose.
abstract: An analytical approach is described for the molecular weight characterization of glucose oligomers from cellulose which had been decomposed by hot-compressed water (HCW). Microcrystalline cellulose was decomposed to 18% of water insoluble fraction (WI) plus 82% of water soluble fraction (WS) by HCW (295 degrees C, 10 mL/min). The glucose oligomers in the WI were analyzed by pericullar anion exchange chromatography, and oligomers longer than pentamers were detected. These results were also confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). Many peaks derived from glucose oligomers with molecular weights less than 4000 Da were detected in the spectra. Mass differences between peaks were 162 Da, as expected for polymers composed of glucose units. This appears to be the first report concerning molecular weight determination of water or organic solvent insoluble compounds like glucose oligomers from cellulose using MALDI-TOFMS.
authors.affiliation: Kyushu National Industrial Research Institute, 807-1, Shuku-machi, Tosu, Saga 841-0052, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sumi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakaki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohba
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shibata
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005947:Glucose / Q000737:chemistry*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
chemical_list: D009844:Oligosaccharides; D002482:Cellulose; D005947:Glucose