Fast HPAE-PAD Fast Carbohydrate Determination of Biomass Samples

Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed a rapid and robust high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection method for the accurate determination of common sugars in acid-hydrolyzed biomass samples with high carbohydrate concentrations. Application Update 192: Carbohydrate Determination of Biofuel Samples demonstrates that this approach has a linear range suitable for handling high-concentration biomass samples with minimal sample treatment. This new method is fast, provides good sensitivity, has consistent response, and can be routinely used to determine carbohydrates in the feedstock for biofuel production.

In order to maximise biofuel yield, the carbohydrates released by acid hydrolysis must be quantified, which requires analysis of a large number of samples. Hence, there is a need for a fast, robust, accurate, and quantitative analytical method for carbohydrate determination of biomass samples. This new approach overcomes key limitations of other available methods. Use of a specially designed anion-exchange column for rapid separation of small carbohydrates with electrolytically generated hydroxide eluent, combined with a smaller sample injection and reduced sensitivity at the point of detection, reduces the degree of sample dilution required and speeds analysis.

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