A simple method for the determination of glucosamine and galactosamine using cellulose acetate electrophoresis

A new electrophoretic method is presented for the determination of glucosamine and galactosamine. The technique is quite simple and rapid, it involves cellulose acetate electrophoresis in borate buffer (200 V, 15 min) and silver nitrate staining. Hexosamine samples of 0.36-1.80 micrograms were separated and stained within 30 min. This method was applied for the hexosamine analysis of glycosaminoglycans.