The Use of Combined Capillary Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry for the Identification bf a Gibberellin Glucosyl Conjugate

Gibberellin A9 (GA9) glucosyl ester was identified in shoots of Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.] grafts using capillary reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography combined on-line with a double focusing mass spectrometer. The column effluent was introduced into the ion source of the mass spectrometer via a frit-fast atom bombardment liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry interface. Negative ion mass spectra were obtained and compared with the spectrum of an authentic standard. In order to confirm the identity of the aglycone, a daughter ion spectrum from the parent ion m/z 315 was obtained by B/E linked scanning and compared with a daughter ion spectrum of free GA9. Furthermore, the elemental composition of the GA conjugate was determined by high resolution mass spectrometry.