Glycan Mapping of Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Using Mass Spectral Correction Based on Chromatography Fitting with “Glycomapping” Software

In this work, the first version of "Glycomapping" software is developed for the analysis of the most common low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), enoxaparin. Using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, size exclusion chromatography is applied, and a virtual database of glycans in enoxaparin is established for the initial searching. With "Glycomapping", a complex chromatogram can be fitted, significantly improving resolution and confirming an accurate distribution range for each size of glycan within enoxaparin. In addition, randomly matched MS data can be corrected, with the constraint of the corresponding chromatographic retention time range, to remove most false positive data. The analytical stability of "Glycomapping" software was confirmed. Enoxaparin, prepared by different manufacturers and from different animal sources, was analyzed using "Glycomapping." Compared to raw data, data processed with "Glycomapping" are more robust and accurate. Another two LMWHs, nadroparin and dalteparin could also be analyzed with this software. This work lays a solid foundation for the automated analysis of heterogeneous mixtures of natural glycans, such as LMWHs and other complex oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.