Analysis of oligomannuronic acids and oligoguluronic acids by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Oligomannuronic acids and oligoguluronic acids were prepared by enzymatic h ydrolysis of alginate with alginate lyases. The oligosaccharides generated up to degree of polymerization 16 were characterized by high-performance an ion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD ) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Acetate buffer li near gradients were used as mobile phases for separations of oligosaccharid es. ESI-MS and KPAEC-PAD are very effective for the analysis and characteri zation of anionic oligosaccharides. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.