HPLC-CAD quantitative analysis of carbohydrates

We usually analyze carbohydrates in biological extracts using either LC-MS  or GC-MS after derivatization. These samples are complex and often contain challenging matrices. The charged aerosol detector may be a good alternative for the quantitative analysis of sugars in relatively simple samples. While quantitative GC-MS analysis of mono and disaccharides often may be ambiguous, the major advantage of HPLC-CAD analysis is simplicity and no need for chemical derivatization.

Instrumental. The Ultimate 3000 HPLC system consists of a quaternary pump, autosampler, column compartment, and charged aerosol (CAD) detector (Thermo Scientific). The compounds were separated on the HILICZ column (2.1×150 mm, 3 µm, Agilent) using a linear gradient of acetonitrile/water with 25 mM ammonium formate pH 9.

The HPLC-CAD chromatogram and calibration curve of sucrose.