Profiling and Quantification of Mono and Disaccharides and Selected Alditols in Juice, Beer, Wine, and Whiskey Using the ACQUITY Arc System with Mass Detection

Significance of topic

Monitoring sugars and sugar alcohols in beverages is vital for nutritional labeling, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and detecting adulteration. HPLC with mass detection addresses challenges posed by isomeric compounds and lack of chromophores.

Objectives and overview

The study aimed to develop a robust LC–MS method using the ACQUITY Arc UHPLC system coupled to a QDa mass detector for simultaneous profiling and quantification of nine saccharides (arabinose, fructose, glucose, inositol, sorbitol, mannitol, sucrose, maltose, maltotriose) in juice, beer, wine, and whiskey.

Methodology and instrumentation

• Chromatography: ACQUITY Arc system with XBridge BEH Amide XP column (3.0×150 mm, 2.5 µm) at 85 °C, 0.8 mL/min, 40 min gradient from high acetonitrile to high aqueous mobile phase containing guanidine hydrochloride and diethylamine.


• Detection: ACQUITY QDa mass detector in ESI negative mode, monitoring chloride adducts [M+Cl]⁻ via selected ion recording (m/z 185–539).


• Sample preparation: Minimal steps including dilution (factors 2–2500) in 1:1 acetonitrile–water and 0.22 µm PVDF filtration.

Main results and discussion

• Baseline separation achieved for all isomer pairs, including sorbitol and mannitol, within a 40 min run.


• Calibration demonstrated excellent linearity (R² > 0.995) over 1–100 mg/L with improved detection limits versus RI/ELS.


• Real sample analysis confirmed expected sugar profiles in beers, wines, and juices; highlighted an unknown monosaccharide in whiskey; and detected sorbitol in one pomegranate juice sample as a potential adulteration marker.

Benefits and practical applications

• Enhanced sensitivity and selectivity enable detection at lower concentrations and allow higher dilution to reduce matrix effects.


• Combined retention time and mass spectral data reduce false positives and improve confidence in isomer identification.


• Applicable for routine quality control, authenticity testing, and compliance with nutritional labeling across diverse beverage matrices.

Future trends and opportunities

Advances in compact mass detectors and novel ionization strategies are expected to further lower detection limits and extend analyses to complex and emerging beverage matrices. Integration with high-resolution MS or tandem MS could enable structural elucidation of unknown carbohydrates and sugar analogs.

Conclusion

The ACQUITY Arc–QDa platform offers a rapid, sensitive, and selective solution for comprehensive saccharide profiling in beverages. Minimal sample preparation, high reproducibility, and robust quantification make it a valuable tool for food analysts and regulatory laboratories.

Reference

• Castellari M., Giorgi A., Bertuzzi T. Determination of Carboxylic Acids, Carbohydrates, Glycerol, Ethanol, and 5-HMF in Beer by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and UV–Refractive Index Double Detection. Journal of Chromatographic Science. 39:236–238 (2001).


• Sanz M.L., Santos-Buelga C., Martínez J. Inositols and carbohydrates in different fresh fruit juices. Food Chemistry. 87:325–328 (2004).


• Benvenuti M. Analysis of Food Sugars in Various Matrices. Waters Application Note No. 720004677EN (2013).


• Jahromi R. Reference Guide for Pomegranate. Revision June 2012.