Filter-paper partition chromatography of sugars

Abstract

In a filter-paper chromatographic method for the identification of reducing sugars in mixtures, the use as a spray of a soln. of AgNO3 in ammonia was effective for revealing the position of the sugars on the chromatogram; other spraying reagents useful in special circumstances are described. The behavior on the filter-paper chromatogram of 22 sugars and derivs. was investigated using several solvents, and the degree of separation obtained indicated. The effect of interfering electrolytes is discussed, and a method of removing them by application of ion-exchange reagents is described. As examples of the technique, the analysis of 3 extracts of biologic origin is described; glucose only was found in an 80% (v/v) ethanol extract of fresh white of egg, while glucose, fructose and sucrose were shown in a fraction from Bramley''s Seedling apples. The presence of glucose, fructose, and inositol was shown in an extract from the fetal blood of the sheep.