The fragmentation pathways of two isomers of brassinosteroids,28-homobrassinolide(28-h-BL)and 28-epihomobrassinolide(28-eh-BL),have been investigated by tandem mass spectrometry(MSn,n=1,2,3,4)with the electrospray ionization(ESI) source.The ESI mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways of protonated 28-h-BL and 28-eh-BL were comprehensively elucidated,and the principles revealed in this investigation could potentially be used to identify and distinguish brassinosteroids and their isomers.