Analysis of Sugars Overview and Application of Monosaccharide and Disaccharide ! Testing Introduction Calibration Sugars are simple, soluble carbohydrates that are The IC-PAD is calibrated externally with solutions of commonly found in foods, foodstuffs, beverages and standard grade sugars. other consumer products. Analysis Cornerstone Analytical Laboratories provides sugar Sample analysis is conducted on an IC-PAD that has analysis by Ion Chromatography with Pulsed previously been calibrated with a series of sugar Amperometric Detection (IC-PAD). This service can standards. For the result to be considered valid, all be used to help identify and quantify the sugar quality control must be within the acceptance criteria. content of a wide variety of sample types. Calculations Types of Sugars The sugar concentration of the sample is calculated Sugars are categorized based on the number of based on the mass of sample taken for the analysis sugar monomers present in the compound: to give the results on the weight/weight basis, such Monosaccharides are comprised of a single sugar as ppm or ppb. Results that are below the method molecule (Examples include fructose, glucose, limit of quantitation are reported as a less-than value mannose and galactose). Disaccharides are (e.g. <10 ppm). comprised of two sugar molecules (Examples include sucrose and lactose). Longer chains of sugars are Reporting categorized as either oligosaccharides or Results are reported based on the mass of sample polysaccharides, depending on the number of sugar taken for the analysis (wt/wt basis). If a sample is monomers present in the molecule. not dissolved during the preparation step, the results are reported as "extracted." Cornerstone’s sugar analysis is limited to mono- and disaccharides (see the list of routine sugars below). Limit of Detection and Quantitation Oligosaccharides and Polysaccharides may be The limit of detection and quantitation are a function analyzed for monosaccharide content after of the mass of sample taken for the analysis and the enzymatic digestion (see below). instrument limits. The limit of quantitation of this analysis is easily dialed low by taking a relatively Sample Types large sample size. Contact us for specific LOD/LOQ Sugar analysis can be applied to many types of we can reach in your sample. samples, such as: Enzymatic Digestion of Oligosaccharides and • Foods Polysaccharides • Pharmaceuticals Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides may be • Dietary Supplements enzymatically digested to provide a means of • Natural Products analysis for the oligosaccharide or polysaccharide by • Bodily Fluids (saliva, plasma, urine, etc.) measuring the monosaccharide content. This • Consumer products approach relies on the identification of a suitable • Water and Wastewater enzyme and analysis for the resulting monosaccharides. Method Our internal method is designed for application of a Method Development and Validation wide variety of sample types. The method contains Cornerstone Analytical Laboratories can develop and details on each of the general topics below. validate an analytical method for sugar analysis in your sample. Please view our page on method Sample Preparation validation for more information on our process of Since sugars are water soluble, the preparation is developing and validating methods. Once validated, usually limited to dissolving the sample or extracting we can transfer it to your facility if desired. it into the mobile phase of the analysis. Most samples will be filtered prior to analysis to remove any particulate matter. ANALYSIS OF SUGARS !1 Analysis of Sugars Overview and Application of Monosaccharide and Disaccharide ! Testing Scope The following is a list of sugars provided in our routine service. Other sugars may be available - please contact us to learn more: • Ribose • Sucrose • Galactose • Glucose • Arabinose • Lactose • Fructose • Maltose • Mannose • Xylose References 1. AP-CHROM-CARBOHYDRATES-1, Analysis of Carbohydrates by Ion Chromatography, Version 1, Cornerstone Analytical Laboratories, December 2015. ANALYSIS OF SUGARS !2.