# A Systematic Method for the Identification of Oligosaccharide Constituents in Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua Using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

## TL;DR

This study identifies 44 new oligosaccharides in a medicinal plant using advanced mass spectrometry, providing insights for its use in health and medicine.

## Contribution

A novel method combining UHPLC and Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS was developed to identify previously unknown oligosaccharides in Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua.

## Key findings

- 44 oligosaccharides, including 27 FOS and 10 AOS, were identified for the first time in Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua.
- The method used high-resolution mass spectrometry and monosaccharide analysis to determine the structure of the oligosaccharides.
- The findings provide a foundation for further research into the medicinal properties of the plant.

## Abstract

A Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (PCH) is a common medicinal and edible plant whose rhizomes are widely used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Previous studies have revealed a variety of chemical components such as polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids, which possess a variety of biological activities such as antimicrobial, lipid-regulating, anti-aging, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory. However, to date, the structure and activity of its oligosaccharide components are still unclear. In this study, we developed a method combining ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) and monosaccharide analysis for the identification of oligosaccharides in PCH. Finally, a total of 44 oligosaccharides, including 27 fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), 10 arabino-oligosaccharides (AOS), and 7 others, were identified based on the precise relative molecular mass and fragment ion information provided by high-resolution mass spectrometry, in combination with standard comparison, monosaccharide composition analysis, and the relevant literature reports. All of those oligosaccharides were reported for the first time. These findings laid the foundation for the subsequent study of its medicinal substances and provided a theoretical basis for the more comprehensive development and utilization of PCH as a medicinal and edible product.