An inductively coupled plasma carbon emission detector for aqueous carbohydrate separations by liquid chromatography

An inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer is used to detec t carbon-containing compounds following separation by high-performance liqu id chromatography. A calcium form ligand exchange column with distilled and deionized water as the mobile phase is used to separate carbohydrates. The eluting species are detected by monitoring the carbon atomic emission line at 193.09 mn. The mass detection limits using a photomultiplier tube for s ucrose and glucose are 50 ng,while that for fructose is 60 ng, The carbon e mission detector should provide the same detection limit for any compound w ith a similar mass percent of carbon, whether or not the compound exhibits appreciable absorption characteristies, While the carbon emission detector will universally detect any organic compound, it will discriminate against species with high molar absorptivity that may be present at low concentrati on. Such species may act as interference chromatograms generated with conve ntion visible absorption detectors. To demonstrate the utility of the carbo n emission detector, three sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose) are determin ed in apple, crangrape, and orange juice.