Separation and quantitation of sucrose esters using HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection

A high performance liquid chromatographic method with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) for the separation and quantitation of sucrose esters is described. Samples are analyzed by means of a reversed-phase column using methanol and water under gradient conditions as the mobile phase. This procedure provides a complete separation and determination of mono- to octa-esters, with different positional isomers in each fraction on a single run, in combination with the electrospray ionization mass spectrum (ESI-MS) technology. With this method, it is possible to determine the approximate compositions of mono- to octa-esters in one analysis and the precise quantitation of pure positional isomers using an external standard method. The described method is found to be straight forward, rapid, inexpensive, and reproducible, and can be readily applied for the analysis of sucrose esters during synthesis, purification, and structure studies.