HPLC Determination of Saccharides in the Process of Accelerated Ageing of Paper

In study of degradation products of paper, LC methods were tested for determination of some saccharides in water extracts of paper. Saccharides were analyzed by ion-exchange and partition chromatography with differential refractive index detection and on-line preconcentration, and by RP-HPLC with fluorescence detection based on pre-column derivatization with dansylhydrazine. The limits of determination for sugars (cellobiose, D-arabinose, D-fructose, D-galactose, D-glucose, D-lactose, D-mannose, D-xylose and methyl D-glucopyranoside) were evaluated by all the tested methods. The degradation products of paper after accelerated ageing for 0-30 days at 98 °C were estimated. The presence of some saccharides (D-mannose, D-fructose, D-arabinose and D-xylose) above the limits of determination was proved. Their concentrations depend on the type of paper modification and the ageing time.