title: Free-radical fragmentation of galactocerebrosides: a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry study.
abstract: Analysis of final products of radiation-induced transformations of galactocerebrosides (GalCer) in aqueous dispersions has been performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and its combination of thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Ceramides were found to be the main products of GalCer gamma-radiolysis. From experimental results obtained in this study, as well as from the data available in the literature, an inference is made that the formation of ceramides occurs owing to fragmentation of radicals with an unpaired electron of the C2 atom of the carbohydrate moiety, formed from the starting compounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yurkova
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kisel
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arnhold
authors.forename: Oleg
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shadyro
mesh_terms: D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D005699:Galactosylceramides / Q000737:chemistry*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D005699:Galactosylceramides; C002454:galactocerebroside