Automatic generation of ultra-pure hydroxide eluent for carbohydrate analysis of environmental samples

High-performance anion-exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection under alkaline conditions has significantly improved our understanding of the function of carbohydrates in cycling of terrestrial carbon. The use of NaOH as an eluent has many advantages for anion analysis, but NaOH solutions are also an excellent trap for atmospheric CO2 resulting in eluent carbonate ion contamination. To minimize the carbonate contamination, eluent generation technology has been marketed that produces ultra-pure hydroxide (OH) eluents on demand. Application of this technology significantly reduced the amounts of OH present in the waste stream and provided faster chromatographic runs with greater sensitivity and precision for determining the monosaccharide composition from environmental samples. Minimizing the salt concentration to < or = 50 mm from acid hydrolysis extractions injected (25 microl injection volume) on column improved reproducibility of analyte retention times and separations. Eluent generation technology eliminated inconsistent OH eluent preparation that is often due to carbonate contamination. The contamination increases retention time variability for monosaccharides released by hydrolysis of biological samples.