Analysis of mono-sugars obtained by acid hydrolysis of algae-based polysaccharides

Fossil fuel reserves are limited and global warming is emerging as a serious problem. To solve these problems, efforts to develop alternative energy sources are underway. In recent years the chemical industry based on the environmentally sound and sustainable biomass has been developing. Algae is regarded as important raw material of biomass. Polysaccharides such as cellulose and galactan obtained from the biomass can be converted to simple mono-saccharides by acid hydrolysis reactions. The formed monosaccharides are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by using liquid chromatography, ion chromatography and gas chromatography. By using acids to hydrolyze polysaccharides, monosaccharides can be formed as the structure of close form and/or open form. In this study, analysis methods of monosaccharides formed by acid saccharification are investigated to distinguish between close form and open form.