InertSphere Sugar-2 is a sugar analysis column that uses calcium (Ca 2+ type) as the metal counter ion in the packing material. The separation mainly occurs due to a size-exclusion mechanism and sugars elutes in the order of molecular weight. It also acts in a ligand exchange mode by utilizing the difference in retention between the metal counter ions and hydroxyl groups in the sugars. The bond strength of the complexation depends on the counter ion and the type of sugar.
One of the advantages of this column is that a 100% aqueous eluent is used, eliminating the need for sample preparation.
The InertSphere Sugar-2 column was used to analyze sugars in vegetable juices and yogurts. As a comparison, similar analyses were performed using an amino column (NH2) , separation of difficult components was achieved.