Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) Application in Carbohydrate Analysis

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is a rapid and high sensitivity method, with spectrum unscrambling easily and sample underivatized for structural elucidation of biological specimen. This technique has been widely used to analyze the structure of the glycan and glycoprotein. Combined with other methods such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or exoglycosidases digestion, MALDI-MS can conveniently provides more detailed information for analysis carbohydrate structure. With kinds of tandem mass spectrometry introduced in the recent years, high quality fragmentation spectra can be obtained now, offering the possibility of more complete analyzis by mass spectrometry alone. The application of MALDI-MS to analyze carbohydrates and glycoprotein is reviewed in this article, the principle and characteristics of the instrument, the correlation technique and cleavage mode of MALDI combined with time-of-flight (TOF) analyzer, MALDI matrix selection, sample preparation, fragmentation identification and glycosylation site definition are also discussed, and the prospect is showed at last. With the better maxtrix, higher resolution and wider molecular weight, MALDI-MS will play a role of significance in carbohydrates analysis.