Fragmentation partially methylated acetylated sugars

A GC/MS method, commonly called linkage analysis or methylation analysis, has also proven to be a successful approach to determining interresidue linkage and branch points [14]. It involves complete alkylation of all free hydroxyl groups. The fully methylated oligosaccharides are hydrolyzed into monomers, which are further reduced and acetylated to provide partially methylated alditol acetates (PAMAs). Acetylation takes place at those positions that were newly exposed by hydrolysis and reduction. The GC retention times and fragmentation patterns can reveal the mode of attachment in the native sugar. 

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