Sugar and organic acid HPLC columns compared
Updated
Ligand exchange vs ion exclusion
Carbohydrate, sugar-alcohol and organic-acid analyses (food, beverage, fermentation, biofuel) usually run on polymer-based ligand-exchange or ion-exclusion columns with water or dilute acid as eluent and RI or UV detection. The counter-ion largely determines selectivity:
- Ca²⁺ (USP L19) — mono- and disaccharides and sugar alcohols in water.
- Pb²⁺ — closely related monosaccharides.
- Na⁺ (USP L58) — oligosaccharides by degree of polymerisation.
- H⁺ (USP L17) — organic acids, sugars and alcohols together with dilute sulfuric or phosphoric acid; typical for fermentation broths.
Sugar and organic acid columns compared by counter-ion and USP code
| Column | Part number | Particle size | Inner diameter | Length | pH range | USP classification | Separation mode | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shodex SUGAR SC1011 Carbohydrate Column (Ca2+), 8.0 x 300 mm, 6 µm | F6378102 | 6.0 µm | 8 mm | 300 mm | 3 - 7 | L19, L22 | Ligand Exchange (LEX) | $1,926.00 USD |
| Agilent Hi-Plex Ca Carbohydrate Column, 7.7 x 300 mm, 8 µm | PL1170-6810 | 8.0 µm | 7.7 mm | 300 mm | 7 | L19 | Ion Exchange (IEC) | $1,764.00 USD |
| Shodex SUGAR SP0810 Carbohydrate Column (Pb2+), 8.0 x 300 mm, 7 µm | F6378105 | 7.0 µm | 8 mm | 300 mm | — | L22, L34 | Ligand Exchange (LEX) | $1,926.00 USD |
| Shodex SUGAR KS-801 Column (Na+), 8.0 x 300 mm, 6 µm | F6378010 | 6.0 µm | 8 mm | 300 mm | 3 - 7 | L22, L58 | Ligand Exchange (LEX) | $2,292.00 USD |
| Shodex SUGAR KS-802 Column (Na+), 8.0 x 300 mm, 6 µm | F6378020 | 6.0 µm | 8 mm | 300 mm | 3 - 7 | L22, L58 | Ligand Exchange (LEX) | $2,292.00 USD |
| Shodex SUGAR SH1011 Organic Acid & Sugar Column (H+), 8.0 x 300 mm, 6 µm | F6378100 | 6.0 µm | 8 mm | 300 mm | — | L17, L22 | Ion Exchange (IEC) | $1,926.00 USD |
| Agilent Hi-Plex H Column for Sugars & Organic Acids, 7.7 x 300 mm, 8 µm | PL1170-6830 | 8.0 µm | 7.7 mm | 300 mm | 0 - 7 | L17, L22 | Ion Exchange (IEC) | $1,764.00 USD |
| Shodex RSpak KC-811 Organic Acid Column, 8.0 x 300 mm, 6 µm | F6378030 | 6 µm | — | — | — | — | — | Quote |
Do not forget the guard
Polymer columns are expensive and sensitive to particulates and proteins. Pair them with the matching guard: Shodex SUGAR SC-G 6B Guard Column (Ca2+), 6.0 x 50 mm, 10 µm (F6700090), Shodex SUGAR KS-G 6B Guard Column (Na+), 6.0 x 50 mm, 10 µm (F6700020) or Shodex SUGAR SH-G Guard Column (H+), 6.0 x 50 mm, 10 µm (F6700080). A refractive index detector such as the Shodex RI-201H Refractive Index Detector (F4010106) is the usual detector for sugars.
Browse all Shodex columns.
Frequently asked questions
Which HPLC column is best for sugar analysis?
Ligand-exchange columns in the calcium form (for example Shodex SUGAR SC1011 or Agilent Hi-Plex Ca, USP L19) are the usual choice for mono- and disaccharides and sugar alcohols with water as eluent and RI detection.
Can I analyse organic acids and sugars in one run?
Yes. Hydrogen-form ion-exclusion columns such as Shodex SUGAR SH1011 or Agilent Hi-Plex H (USP L17) separate organic acids, sugars and alcohols together using a dilute acid eluent, which is typical for fermentation samples.