Analysis of Sugars

Significance of the Topic

Polar carbohydrates such as glucose, mannose, fructose and lactose play pivotal roles in food quality control, biomedical research, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Accurate separation and quantification support monitoring of product purity, nutritional labeling, and process optimization.

Aims and Overview of the Study

This application note evaluates the performance of a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) method using a Shim-pack GIST NH2 column for simultaneous analysis of four common sugars, each at 100 mg/L.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The method employs a Shim-pack GIST NH2 column (250 × 4.6 mm I.D., 5 µm). The mobile phase consists of water (A) and acetonitrile (B) in a 25:75 (v/v) ratio. Key parameters are:

• Flow rate: 1.0 mL/min
• Column temperature: 40 °C
• Injection volume: 5 µL
• Detection: Refractive index detector (RID)

Main Results and Discussion

Under the HILIC conditions, all four analytes exhibit baseline separation with sharp, symmetrical peaks. The method delivers reproducible retention times and consistent peak areas, demonstrating robustness suitable for routine sugar profiling.

Benefits and Practical Application

• High-resolution separation of polar sugars without derivatization
• Simple mobile phase composition compatible with RID
• Fast analysis time and straightforward sample preparation
• Applicability in food, beverage and pharmaceutical quality control

Future Trends and Possibilities

Advancements in HILIC phases and coupling with mass spectrometry will further enhance sensitivity and selectivity. Automated sample handling and integration with metabolomics platforms are promising for high-throughput screening of carbohydrates.

Conclusion

The Shim-pack GIST NH2 based HILIC method provides a reliable, efficient approach for separating and quantifying lactose, glucose, mannose, and fructose. Its robustness and simplicity support diverse analytical needs across food and pharmaceutical sectors.

References

None cited.