HILICpak VG-50 4E, a polymer-based amino column, is suitable for sugar analysis in HILIC mode. Sugars in beers are mainly formed through saccharification of starch contained in malt and other raw materials. In this application, HILICpak VG-50 4E and an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) were used to simultaneously analyze monosaccharides and oligosaccharides generally present in beers. Commercial beers including beer, sugar-free beer , low-malt beer, and alcohol-free beer were analyzed. The results showed that sugar content varies among the beers.

Sample preparation

1. (1)Degas beers to remove carbonation.
2. (2)Dilute 1+19 with a mixture of 1:1 water and acetonitrile. Then, filter through a 0.2-µm membrane filter and use as HPLC sample.

Sample: 20 µL
Three mixed standard solutions of fructose/sucrose, maltooligosaccharides (M1-M10), and isomaltooligosaccharides
(I2-I5) (50 mg/L each in water and acetonitrile (3:7))

1. M1Glucose              I2Isomaltose
2. M2Maltose              I3Isomaltotriose
3. M3Maltotriose         I4Isomaltotetraose
4. M4Maltotetraose     I5Isomaltopentaose
5. M5Maltopentaose
6. M6Maltohexaose
7. M7Maltoheptaose
8. M8Maltooctaose
9. M9Maltononaose
10. M10Maltodecaose

Sample: 20 µL
Pre-treated Beer, Low-malt beer, Sugar-free beer and Alcohol-free beer

Data provided by Shimadzu Corporation.
For more detailed information and other beer analysis examples, please read here.