Sugar alcohols, paper chromatography

A fourth method, analysis of sugar alcohols after reduction by [3H]-NaBH4 and separation by paper chromatography, is described in detail in Experiment 11. 

Reduction with tritiated NaBH4 (NaB3H4), followed by analysis of the radioactive sugar alcohols by paper chromatography and liquid scintillation counting. 

It is very important to perform this reaction uncapped in a fume hood to prevent the room from filling with tritium gas. The mixture of tritiated sugar alcohols is then separated by paper chromatography on thin strips. These strips are divided into half-inch segments and analyzed by liquid scintillation counting. The total counts per minute of 3H in each sugar alcohol peak can then be used to calculate the amount of each carbohydrate present in the sample. 

Among the other sugars detected in the soil, only the 6-deoxyhexoses have been quantitatively determined. In Delaware soils, rhamnose and fucose, determined by quantitative paper-chromatography, amounted to 20% of the sugars. Under the conditions of furfural formation from pentoses, the 6-deoxyhexoses yield 5-methyl-2-furaldehyde this has been determined by the differential solubilities of the phloroglucides in alcohol. The proportion of 6-deoxyhexoses in some cases exceeded that of pentoses. 

Paper electrophoresis (PE) Prior to PE separation of sugar alcohols into tetritols, pentitols, etc., separation by paper or thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is recommended. Basic lead acetate (0.178 mol 1 ) is the most useful electrolyte the run takes 3 h at 800 V. Other systems used are 0.05 mol 1 borate, run for 1.5h at 500V, or 0.2moll calcium acetate in 0.2 mol 1 acetic acid run for 2 h at 670 V. 

Hozumi, T., and Sat6, M. 1950. Studies on alcoholic beverages by paper partition chromatography. I. Detection of reducing sugars of sak6 and wines. J. Soe. 

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