This Application Note describes the use of two different anion-exchange columns with amperometric detection to analyze simple sugars, sugar alcohols, alcohols, and glycols in yeast and bacterial fermentation broths. This record describes the CarboPac MA1 column method. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Yeast Extract-Peptone-Dextrose (YPD) broth and the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth are common eukaryotic and prokaryotic fermentation systems, respectively.

This application note describes the use of ion-exchange or ion-exclusion chromatography for the determination of five classes of compounds of interest to the brewing industry, including: carbohydrates, alcohols, organic acids, inorganic anions, and inorganic cations. One of two forms of electrochemical detection is used, pulsed amperometry or conductivity detection. This part of the application note describes the alcohol analysis which uses pulsed amperometric detection. This was formerly Dionex AN46.

Two oral, over-the-counter medications were evaluated as representative pharmaceutical products. A cough suppressant and a multisymptom cold/flu medication were chosen because they contain a complex mixture of simple sugars, glycols,and sugar alcohols. These carbohydrates and glycols are also commonly found in other medications. This method uses the CarboPac MA1 column to retain and separate the target analytes.

This application note describes the use of three different anion-exchange columns with amperometric detection to analyze common simple sugars, sugar alcohols, and glycols in pharmaceutical formulations. The method in this entry shows how to determine glycols using ion-exclusion chromatography on Dionex ICE-AS1 column.

Sugar alcohols are used in confectionary products because they impart a sweet taste without the calories associated with sugars. Their use in foods is regulated due to their laxative and diuretic properties. This application note uses the Dionex CarboPac MA1 column and pulsed amperometric detection to determine sugar alcohols without the need for derivitization or postcolumn reagents.