GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHIC MASS-SPECTROMETRIC SEPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF METHYL TRIMETHYLSILYL MONOSACCHARIDES OBTAINED FROM NATURALLY-OCCURRING GLYCOSIDES AND CARBOHYDRATES

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of different methyl trimethylsilyl derivatives of aldohexoses, 6-deoxyaldohexoses and aldopentoses obtained after hydrolysis and trimethylsilylation of permethylated natural glycosides (e.g., cardiac glycosides and saponins) is shown to be a reliable alternative method to the commonly applied analysis via partially methylated alditol acetates. GC and MS reference data for 25 monosaccharide derivatives are given, which allow the determination of the linkages in sugar chains of glycosides and polysaccharides. Mass spectra are characterized by fragmentation patterns, permitting conclusions even if reference substances or data are not available.