Summary
In this application note the analysis of carbohydrates in instant coffee, following the ISO 11292:1995 method, was evaluated using the ALEXYS carbohydrates analyzer. The method is based on separation of carbohydrates by High Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography followed by Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD) under standard bore conditions. An adapted method was evaluated, which uses narrow-bore conditions and a column with smaller particle size. In comparison with the standard method, the adapted method resulted in 50% shorter analysis times and 90% lower solvent use (‘greener’ solution). Both standard bore and narrow-bore methods provide excellent sensitivity, linearity and reproducibility, and are suitable for the routine analysis of carbohydrates in coffee applications using the ALEXYS carbohydrates analyzer.
Introduction
Carbohydrates (also called saccharides) are the most abundant biomolecules in nature and a major constituent in many food and beverage products. These molecules provide the most easily accessible energy source for our body and are highly valued for their structural properties and (sweet) taste. Measurement of their presence in food and drinks is required for product labeling purpose, but carbohydrate composition is also a very good tracer for authenticity assessment1,2. Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Carbohydrates are the major constituents of coffee beans and they act as aroma binders, foam stabilizers and they increase the viscosity of the drink. Their analysis in coffee and coffee products is covered by method ISO 11292:1995, issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The principle of this method is the same as Method 995.13 which was issued in 1995 by the Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and originally implemented as the UK national standard BS 5752-15:1995. This UK standard was withdrawn and replaced in 1997 by the unaltered text of the ISO method as BS 5752-15:1997. The text of the ISO method has further been approved by the governments as suitable for publication without deviations as the national standard method for use in India9 and Mexico10, which are major coffee producing countries. Germany, which is a coffee importing country, has adopted a translated version of the ISO method11.
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