Microwave-assisted preparation of sugars and organic acids for simultaneous determination in citric fruits by gas chromatography

A simple and rapid analysis of sugars and organic acids by gas chromatography (GC) has been developed. Fructose, glucose, sucrose, citric and malic acid in citric fruits were quantitatively derivatized in two reactions. The total derivatization time was 5 min using a domestic microwave oven at 180 W radiation power. Average analytical recoveries were above 97%. The method demonstrate be 20 times faster than others found in the literature and ideal for routine analysis.