HPAE-PAD - A SENSITIVE METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CARBOHYDRATES

High performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometri c detection (HPAE-PAD) was used for the determination of eleven monosa ccharides. Three analytical columns with different selectivities were tested, and the resulting separations were compared calculating precis ion and detection limits. The monosaccharides could be separated on Ca rboPAC PA10 in one analysis run with the lowest detection limits and a high precision. For the determination of polysaccharides and humic bo und carbohydrates in natural organic matter, an hydrolysis step had to be carried out. With the exception of fructose, the recoveries varied between 56% and 83%. The described methods were applied for the deter mination of bound carbohydrates in a bog lake water and a soil extract without preconcentrating the samples.