Laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectra of malto-oligosaccharides

Laser desorption mass spectra of malto-oligomers, including starch, have been obtained using Fourier transform mass spectrometry. Fragmentations of these oligomers have been examined after doping with metal salts to obtain cation-attachment ions. Doping starch with NaCl, KBr and Ag2O results in analogous cation-attachment oligosaccharide fragment ions for all three metal ions. A distinct and unusual fragmentation pattern is observed for the larger oligomers.