Column Selection for Separation of Simple Sugars (Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Maltose, Lactose)

Record: 646

Category: Column Selection
Product: SC1011, NH2P-50 4E, SP0810, VG-25 4D, VG-50 4E
Sample: fructose, glucose (dextrose), sucrose, maltose, and lactose

Question

A customer is analyzing five simple sugars—fructose, glucose (dextrose), sucrose, maltose, and lactose. They are currently using a Waters Ca²⁺ sugar column often referred to as a “USP L8” column and are generally satisfied with performance but would like improved separation of fructose and glucose.

They have also purchased Shodex SUGAR SP0810 but have not yet evaluated it. Which Shodex column would be most appropriate for this application, and should NH2P-series or VG-series columns be considered?

Answer

Columns commonly referred to as “USP L8” in carbohydrate analysis are Ca²⁺-form ligand-exchange sugar columns traditionally operated with water-based eluents. In the current USP–NF classification, these columns fall under USP L19. Within the Shodex lineup, SUGAR SC1011 is the Ca²⁺-form ligand-exchange column functionally comparable to these traditional sugar columns.

While Ca²⁺ ligand-exchange columns are effective for general sugar profiling, they typically show limited resolution between structurally similar monosaccharides, particularly fructose and glucose. When improved monosaccharide separation is required, HILIC-mode separations provide greater selectivity and flexibility.

Shodex NH2P-50 4E is a polymer-based amino HILIC column designed for saccharide analysis using acetonitrile–water mobile phases. Compared to Ca²⁺ sugar columns, NH2P-50 4E generally provides clearer separation of fructose and glucose while maintaining separation of sucrose, maltose, and lactose.

Shodex SUGAR SP0810, a Pb²⁺-form ligand-exchange column, uses a different selectivity mechanism. Although useful for certain sugar separations, SP0810 typically provides limited fructose–glucose resolution, and maltose and lactose are not fully resolved under standard conditions. For this reason, SP0810 is not the preferred choice when improved monosaccharide resolution is the primary goal.

For laboratories seeking newer polymer-based HILIC options, Shodex VG-series columns (VG-25 4D or VG-50 4E) may also be considered. These columns offer improved peak shape and recovery for reducing sugars and can be optimized for both RI and MS detection.

Recommended Applications

• Analysis of Dextrose and Fructose in Cranberry Juice (NH2P-50 4E)
  Demonstrates improved separation of fructose and glucose using NH2P-50 under HILIC conditions.
• Saccharides in Food (SC1011)
  Shows traditional Ca²⁺ ligand-exchange separation of common mono- and disaccharides, including fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose.
• Elution Volume of Saccharides (VG-25 4D)
  Illustrates relative retention behavior of fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose using polymer-based HILIC.
• Elution Volume of Saccharides (VG-50 4E)
  Provides additional elution-order and retention information for the same sugars using the VG-50 column format.

Additional Comments

Download or Print PDF