The chemical structure of the saccharide portion of Vibrio parahaemolyticus serotype 012 lipopolysaccharide was studied. Using chemical degradation and modification, as well as methylation analysis in combination with GLC-MS, laser-desorption mass spectrometry and 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, the carbohydrate backbone of the lipopolysaccharide was characterized as a branched decasaccharide with the following structure: (formula; see text) In the native lipopolysaccharide two additional phosphate groups are present and 3-deoxy-D-threo-hexulosonic acid and D-galacturonic acid are bound via acid-labile linkages.