Simultaneous Quantification of Carbohydrates, Alcohols, and Toxic Components in a Bio-Based Medium Using Dual-Detection HPLC Analysis

Majid Soleimani, Lope Tabil

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.

DOI: 10.4236/ajac.2013.45033                

Abstract

Bio-based media, derived from cellulosic biomass depolymerisation or bioconversion processes, are composed of several chemicals and biochemicals. In this study, the main components of a hemicellulosic-based medium were analyzed using a dual detection HPLC method to separate and determine concentrations of the major monosaccharides (glucose, xylose, and arabinose), alcoholic and acidic components (ethanol, xylitol, and acetic acid) and furanic compounds (furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)). The analyses, which employed a single stationary phase (Aminex HPX-87H) and two detection methods, were carried out under isocratic conditions and involved mobile phases consisting of 5 mM sulfuric acid and acetonitrile in different mix ratios from 0 to 0.061 mole fraction of acetonitrile. Based on the analysis run time and the chromatogram quality, the optimum condition was determined for the simultaneous quantification of the components.

Keywords

Dual-Detection Analysis; Retention Time; Carbohydrates; Alcohols; Furans

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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