This document describes the advantages of using MSn analysis in an ion trap mass spectrometer for multiple isolation and fragmentation stages, as well as its application in the structural determination of ginsenosides from a ginseng root extract.
Ginseng root contains biologically active saponins called ginsenosides, which are difficult to characterize due to complex oligosaccharide chains. Tandem mass spectrometric methods using triple quadrupole instruments often generate complex spectra that are hard to interpret because of secondary collisions in the collision cell.
This document demonstrates the power of MSn analysis performed on an Agilent 1100 Series LC/MSD Trap system, which uses an ion trap mass spectrometer. This approach permits multiple isolation and fragmentation stages, ensuring product ions are specifically related to precursor ions from that stage. The note details experiments using direct infusion and online LC/MSn analysis of ginseng root extracts to elucidate the structures of compounds like Rb1 and Rb2.
The experiments were performed using an Agilent 1100 Series LC/MSD Trap system composed of a binary pump, vacuum degasser, autosampler, and thermostatted column compartment with column-switching valve.
The chromatographic conditions specify a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min.
The MS conditions utilized a drying gas temperature of 300°C.