Simultaneous HPLC Determination of Organic Acids, Sugars and Alcohols

Abstract

Separation, retention times and quantification of more than fifty organic acids, sugars and alcohols commonly found in food products were determined using a single injection high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique with an interaction cation-exchange polymeric column in tandem with a dual detection system ultraviolet/visible and retractive index. To attain optimal separation and quantification of lactic and succinic acids associated with dairy products, 0.0080N H2SO4 at 55°C was used as the mobile phase, still resolving other acids and sugars. For the compounds such as tricarboxylic acids, simple sugars and alcohols present in fresh fruit and juices, separation and quantification were the best with 0.0065N H2SO4 at 25°C. The retention time data and response factors provide a rapid and versatile means by which to determine which of the 53 compounds can be analyzed for without interferences using a single injection HPLC analysis.