Identification of polysaccharides in pharmaceuticals by capillary gas chromatography
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Updated: Oct 24, 2026

Automated Modular High Throughput Exopolysaccharide Screening Platform Coupled with Highly Sensitive Carbohydrate Fingerprint Analysis
Published on: April 11, 2016
G Vanlaeke1, H Cuppens, L Leyssens
1Dr. L. Willems-Instituut, Universitaire campus, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Abstract:
A sensitive method for the identification of polysaccharides in pharmaceuticals is described. Polysaccharides are isolated by gel filtration and subsequently hydrolysed. The monomeric carbohydrates obtained are transformed into oxime-trimethylsilyl derivatives and analysed by capillary gas chromatography. Profiles of 13 different natural or semi-synthetic polysaccharides are discussed. The profiles of the hydrolysis products can be used to identify the polysaccharides mentioned above. Possible interferences by other polymers are given. The method can be used to identify most polysaccharides used as pharmaceutical adjuvants.
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