A rapid gas chromatographic method is described for the simultaneous determination of glycerol, sorbitol or mannitol in a variety of raw materials or finished products. The method is based upon the direct conversion, normally without predrying, of sample humectants into their acetate derivatives by bomb reaction with acetic anhydride in the presence of pentaerythritol added as internal standard. The resultant acetates are determined by g.l.c.; a complete determination requires about 30 min. The method, as described, is not applicable to samples containing borax or boric acid derivatives. Le dosage d'humectants par chromatographie en phase gazeus Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved