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Published on: January 7, 2019
A new high-throughput LC-MS method for the analysis of complex fructan mixtures
Joran Verspreet1, Anders Holmgaard Hansen, Emmie Dornez
1Laboratory of Food Chemistry and Biochemistry, Leuven Food Science and Nutrition Research Centre (LFoRCe), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, box 2463, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
A new liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method using a trifunctional C18 stationary phase (T3) enhances fructan isomer separation. This advanced technique reveals complex structures in wheat grain fructans, improving analysis of diverse carbohydrate mixtures.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
- Food Science
Background:
- Fructans are complex carbohydrates with diverse structures.
- Analyzing fructan mixtures requires advanced separation techniques.
- Existing methods may struggle to resolve closely related fructan isomers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present a novel liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for analyzing complex fructan mixtures.
- To compare the performance of a trifunctional C18 stationary phase (T3) with a porous graphitized carbon (PGC) column for fructan separation.
- To investigate the structural complexity of fructans in wheat grain extracts.
Main Methods:
- Utilized liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
- Employed a trifunctional C18 alkyl stationary phase (T3) column.
- Compared T3 column performance against a porous graphitized carbon (PGC) column.
Main Results:
- The T3 phase demonstrated significantly improved separation of fructan isomers compared to the PGC phase.
- T3 chromatography offered lower and more stable retention times for fructans.
- The method successfully resolved multiple fructan isomers in a wheat grain extract, including those with a degree of polymerization up to 10.
Conclusions:
- The novel LC-MS method with a T3 column provides enhanced resolution for complex fructan mixtures.
- Wheat grain fructans exhibit structural complexity beyond simple linear arrangements.
- This method facilitates the detailed elucidation of diverse fructan structures in various biological and food matrices.
