An automated system for carbohydrate analysis based on microdialysis, high-performance anion exchange chromatography, electrochemical detection, and mass spectrometry

Abstract

An automated system is suggested and presented for the analysis of carbohydrates. The system is based on already existing components such as microdialysis, flow-injection analysis (FIA), high-performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC), integrated pulsed electrochemical detection (IPED), a biosensor, on-line desalting employing a cation exchange membrane desalting device (CEMDD), and mass spectrometry (MS). A hydrolysate containing mono- and oligosaccharides is profiled using an in situ tunable microdialysis probe fitted with a polysulfone membrane with a cutoff of 30 kDa, in combination with HPAEC and IPED. Sensitivities using IPED and MS are demonstrated to be equal, so it is thought to be well suited for an automated on-line triple-detection system. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Lab Robotics and Automation 10: 361–367, 1998