Adaptation of a Thermospray Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Interface for Use with Alkaline Anion Exchange Liquid Chromatography of Carbohydrates

An Interface is described that allows the direct coupling of high-performance alkaline anion exchange liquid chromatography with thermospray mass spectrometry. A membrane suppressor is used to remove nonvolatile alkaline salts from the mobile phase after the chromatographic process Is completed and prior to introduction into the mass spectrometer. Examples are given of both isocratic and gradient separations of a three-component test mixture of N-acetylated mono- and disaccharldes, followed by on-line mass spectral data acquisition. Sensitivity studies show minimum detection limits for the test compounds to be in the microgram range.