Analysis of neutral saccharides by high performance liquid chromatography after pre-column derivatization with 2-(9-carbazole)-ethoxycarbonyl hydrazide

2-(9-carbazole)-ethoxycarbonyl hydrazide (ceoc-hydrazide), a novel pre-column ultraviolet and fluorescence derivatization reagent, has been developed for the analysis of 5 neutral saccharides (lactose, mannose, glucose, rhamnose, sorbose) by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and ultraviolet detection. derivatizing conditions have been investigated. the results indicate that the maximum yields of this derivativation reaction could be obtained within 6.5 h in the presence of 3.5 % (v/v) acetic acid at 65degreesc. the derivatives are detected with fluorescence detection (lambda(ex)/lambda(em) = 293/360 nm) and ultraviolet detection (254 nm). the range of detection limits is from 15 to 60 fmol. it has been proved that this method has excellent sensitivity and the derivatizing reaction of saccharides is easy and operable. the method is suitable for the analysis of saccharides.