Cf-252 plasma desorption mass spectrometry on a ''reflect'' desorbtion
instrument (MSBX) was used to study oligosaccharides from bacterial O
-specific antigenic chains. The data obtained for galacturonic acid, n
eutral and aminouronic oligosaccharides are discussed. This method is
suggested for determining the composition of oligosaccharides from the
O-specific polysaccharides and for elucidating their structures after
modifications.