Gas chromatographic analysis of monosaccharides in a forest soil profile: Analysis by gas chromatography after trifluoroacetic acid hydrolysis and reduction–acetylation

The analysis of sugars in soil at a molecular level may help to understand their origin and function. Gas chromatographic determination of individual sugars was applied to the litter layers and all mineral soil horizons of an acid forest soil under broad-leaved trees. Hydrolysis was carried out using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). For GC analysis, the monosaccharide units were derivatised by reduction to alditols and subsequent acetylation. The results indicate a strong contribution of microbial-derived carbohydrates in the mineral soil (Ah to Cv horizons) compared to the litter layers (L, Of and Oh horizons).