The analysis of sugars and sugar alcohols remains a challenging application, owing to the lack of chromophores and the similarity between these molecules. Many of these sugar compounds are isomers of one another.

Due to its separation power, accuracy, and speed of analysis, HPLC has become the method of choice for the analysis of sugars. An alternative to Refractive Index (RI) and Evaporative Light Scattering (ELS) detection is the use of mass detection with electrospray ionization (ESI). Mass detection is complementary to traditional detectors used for LC. It offers the opportunity to decrease detection limits and also to obtain mass spectral information on the components in the sample. The combination of both chromatographic retention time and mass information results in increased selectivity for the analysis of sugars and sugar alcohols.

In this application note, we describe the application of the ACQUITY QDa Detector coupled to the ACQUITY Arc System for the profiling and quantification of sugars in juice, wine, beer, and whiskey samples.

This method allows:

• Detection of sugars at lower levels than with Refractive Index (RI) or Evaporative Light Scattering Detection (ELS).
• Minimum sample preparation requiredand samples can be diluted to reduce matrix effects.
• Chromatographic separation of the difficult isomer pairs sorbitol and mannitol.