Analysis of the linkage positions in polydextrose by the reductive cleavage method

The structure of the synthetic carbohydrate polymer Polydextrose® was investigated by a reliable and rapid method of methylation, combined with reductive cleavage and acetylation. Monomeric derivatives were identified by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) retention data and electron impact (EI)- and NH3 chemical ionization (CI)-mass spectrometry (MS) data. Ratios of permethylated, once or twice acetylated derivatives confirmed that Polydextrose® is a highly branched material.