A rapid method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of simple carbohydrates in nectars

Abstract

A rapid gas-liquid chromatographic technique is described for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of simple carbohydrates found in nectars of flowering plants. These sugars are converted to their oxime forms prior to trimethylsilyl derivation, thereby minimizing the obscuring effects of anomerism. Complete resolution of three common nectar carbohydrates, fructose, glucose and sucrose, was accomplished. Analysis of standard sugar solutions and two nectars (from Aloe and Aquilegia) show that this technique is highly sensitive and useful for pollination and reproductive biologists.