Analysis of O/O and H/D Exchange Reactions between Carbohydrates and Heavy Water Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

Mono- and polysaccharides are an essential part of every biological system. Identifying underivatized carbohydrates using mass spectrometry is still a challenge because carbohydrates have a low capacity for ionization. Normally, the intensities of protonated carbohydrates are relatively low, and in order to increase the corresponding peak height, researchers add Na, K, or NHto the solution.