Glucuronic acid conjugates techniques

In recent years, several techniques have been developed for mass spectrometry, whereby samples are ionized and analysed from a condensed phase, without prior volatilization. These desorption techniques have permitted the extension of mass spectrometric analyses to sulfate and glutathione conjugates, as well as to underivatized and labile glucuronic acid conjugates. Primary among these techniques are field desorption 6, plasma desorption (7), laser desorption (8), fast atom bombardment (or secondary ion mass spectrometry with a liquid sample matrix) ( ) and thermospray ionization ( O). The latter can also serve to couple high pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for analysis of involatile and thermally labile samples. 

A number of authors have pointed out that spectra acquired using various desorption techniques have many features in common (11-14). Generally the ions detected are even electro ionj molecular ions formed by protonation or addition of NH-, Na, etc., and fragment ions formed by elimination of neutral molecules. It is not clear to what extent pyrolysis and solvolysis reactions augment the contributions of unimolecular gas phase decompositions to spectra obtained using the various desorption techniques. Glucuronic Acid Conjugate Desorption... 

---