Agilent announces a method using an Agilent 1100 liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer (LC/MS) for the analysis of various kinds of sugars and compound sugars, without requiring derivatisation
Sugars have been analysed by various methods including coupled gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of derivatised sugars and LC methods using ultraviolet or fluorescence detection after derivatisation.
The new LC/MS method does not require pre- or post-column derivatisation to attain high sensitivity.
The Agilent 1100 LC/MS with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) in negative ion mode can be used for the analysis of sorbitol, glucose, fructose, xylitol and sucrose in both standards and beverages.
Although the APCI method, employing post-column addition, has a lower sensitivity (several hundred picograms), it is an easy and versatile method of analysis with superior ionisation repeatability, generated by the M+Cl- ion. For further information, request application note "Application of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to the analysis of sugars and sugar-alcohols in common beverages," publication number 5988-4236EN.
This application note is available without charge from any Agilent sales office or the company's website (see above). 1
