OXIDATION OF MONOSACCHARIDES WITH OXYGEN IN ALKALINE-SOLUTION - SEPARATION, IDENTIFICATION AND ESTIMATION OF THE ALDONIC ACIDS PRODUCED BY LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A reliable liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the se paration, identification and estimation of the products formed when sa ccharides are oxidized in alkaline solution with oxygen. The technique was then used to quantitate the acids produced when glucose is subjec ted to such an oxidation. The Bio-Rad cation exchange column HPX-87H(), when eluted with 0.01 N H2SO4 and attached to a UV detector, was fo und to be satisfactory. Quantitative estimation of the products formed during the oxidation of glucose was achieved by withdrawing aliquots from the reaction mixture and injecting them directly into the chromat ographic system. It was found that about 90% of the oxidation products formed were produced via a 1,2-enediol and less than 10% via a 2,3-en ediol. The results confirmed the mechanism proposed by Isbell to accou nt for the acids produced.