Several cyclitol glycosides have been characterised as trimethylsilyl derivatives by their gas chromatographic (GC) retention data (linear retention indices) and electron impact mass spectrometric (MS) profiles. Both GC-MS results have been related to cyclitol glycosides structural features. Abundance ratios of characteristic m/z ions 133/129 and 260/265 have been proposed to distinguish glycosyl-inositols from glycosyl-methyl-inositols. These ratios in combination with the presence or absence of m/z 375 ion allowed the unequivocal characterization of cyclitol glycosides. These criteria have been applied to the characterization of new cyclitol glycosides in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) and in leaves of Coriaria myrtifolia and Coriaria ruscifolia.