A novel and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of 6 low-calorie bulk sweeteners by HPLC-ELSD

A novel and sensitive method for the simultaneous analysis of six low-calorie bulk sweeteners (D-allulose, Dtagatose, D-mannitol, mycose, palatinose, and erythritol) without derivatisation was developed using highperformance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD). Chromatographic separations were carried out on a Zorbax Original NH2 (5 mu m particle size, 250 mmx4.60 mm id, 70 angstrom) column with flow rate gradient elution with acetonitrile: water (80:20, v/v). Drift tube temperature was set at 50 degrees C, the nebuliser carrier gas flow rate was 1.0 mL center dot min(-1), and nitrogen pressure was regulated to 276 kPa with gain:3. The regression equation showed good linearity (R-2 = 0.9985-0.9998) for all six low-calorie bulk sweeteners in the tested range (0.060-0.60 mg center dot mL(-1)). The limits of detection (LOD) for the six low-calorie bulk sweeteners ranged from 0.02 to 0.06 mg center dot mL(-1). The proposed HPLC-ELSD method was validated for the quantification of the lowcalorie bulk sweeteners in 14 types of foods, and the results were satisfactory. In addition, the results showed that the number of sweeteners in each food product varied. The presence of multiple low-calorie bulk sweeteners in certain foods is interesting. This method is successful in monitoring low-calorie bulk sweeteners in food.