Separation and identification of sugars and maltodextrines by thin layer chromatography: Application to biological fluids and human milk

A monodimensional thin layer chromatography method to separate several sugars of clinical interest is described. The separation and identification of 14 sugars ( L-fucose, D-galactose, D-glucose, lactose, N-acetylglucosamine, D-maltose, D-manose, L-sorbase, fructose, D-xylose, glucuronic acid, N-acetyllactosamine, 3′ and 6′ sialyllactose) and maltodextrines (G 2–G 8) is possible by using two different eluents mixtures, as well as two different detection reagents. The method has been applied to separate sugars, maltodextrines and oligosaccharides in several biological fluids (blood, urine and faeces), in an infant milk and in human milk. It is a very simple technique (with a high sensitivity) that can be used in any lab.