Detection of oligosaccharides in sugar products using planar chromatography

Oligosaccharides, and in particular raffinose and kestoses, are of great importance not only in the field of cane and beet processing but also in respect of the analyses of a number of agricultural raw materials and trade products. The authors judge it to be useful to have at one's disposal a simple and reliable analytical technique to be used for the detection of oligosaccharides in different materials. Modern planar chromatography can be utilized, bearing in mind that HPTLC (high performance thin layer chromatography) plates, Automated Multiple Development, completely automated elution systems, sample positioning and spots detection apparatuses, are available. Details on the analytical methodology adopted for molasses and other sugar products are presented and discussed also giving statistical data about its accuracy and precision. Some examples of practical application of the proposed methodology are described. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.