Sensitivity of steviol glycoside determination by HILIC UHPLC was found to increase by up to 40% by utilizing the Thermo Scientific LightPipe Diode Array Detector (DAD) Flow Cell technology. Compared to the Thermo Scientific UltiMate 3000 system, the %RSD of peak width at half height was found to be up to 80% lower in the case of dulcoside A using the Thermo Scientific Vanquish Flex system’s improved proprietary pump technology. The unique chemistry of the Thermo Scientific AcclaimTrinity P1 columns allows for the HILIC separation of highly polar and structurally similar compounds
Over the last decade there has been a growing interest in low-calorie alternatives to carbohydrate-based sweeteners. Recent publications have shown a dramatic increase in attention toward natural extracts such as the Stevia rebaudiana plant, not only for its sweetening effect but also for additional health benefits attributed to the plant. The major sweetening components are stevioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside C, and dulcoside A, each of which is over 300 times sweeter than sucrose based sweeteners. Because of this they are widely used in beverages and foodstuffs.
This application combines the Acclaim Trinity P1 with charged aerosol and diode array detection to quantify stevioside sweeteners used in foods and beverages. The two detectors are complimentary at higher concentrations of steviosides, but under the conditions used here the charged aerosol detector provides superior sensitivity for most of the analytes.
