Heterogeneity of bacterial antigenic lipooligosaccharides determined by californium-252 plasma desorption mass spectrometry

Abstract
Californium‐252 plasma desorption mass spectrometric analysis of complex lipooligosaccharide antigens from Mycobacterium kansasii has provided molecular weight information. From the spectra obtained and from other data it can be concluded that these lipooligosaccharides generally contain three 2,4‐dimethyltetradecanoyl groups, and considerable heterogeneity in the attached acyl functions is apparent.