1995 Volume 2 Issue 4 Pages 157-166
odern mass spectrometry has original advantages in that it enables observation of molecular signals even of labile compounds, by means of "soft ionization" techniques such as fast atom bombardment (FAB), and allows characterization of individual molecules present in a mixture with the use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS method) or B/E constant linked scan method. These methods are successfully applied to the determination of natural organic compounds, in particular. In this manuscript, recent works are reviewed focussing on the structural elucidation of lipids including new glycosyl phosphosphingolipids isolated from mushrooms by FAB mass spectrometry.