Routine Citrus Juice Analyses Using Hplc with Amperometric Detection

Analytical methods useful for routine applications are ideally low-cost, simple to perform, and yield rapid results which are easy to interpret. Chroma tog raphic methods, par ticularly of complex samples such as fruit juice, are often difficult, can be expensive and time-consuming, and may yield results devoid of interpretation. With the proper choice of detector, the chromatographic analysis of even the most difficult samples can often be simplified. During the past dec ade, there has been a rapid increase in the use of elec trochemical (EC) detection methods in high-performance liq uid chromatography (HPLC). The sudden popularity is due to the detector's extreme sensitivity, selectivity, and compatibil ity with reversed-phase and ion-exchange separations. Three HPLC/EC methods were developed and/or adapted for routine analysis of vitamin C, folic acid, sugars and sugar alcohols in citrus juice. Analysis time for each method was under 10 mi nutes. Analytical results for some fresh citrus juices are pre sented, along with statistical considerations.