Determination of amino sugars in environmental samples with high salt content by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection.

Amino sugars were determined in natural samples, including seawater, using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection and a new-off-line sample cleanup procedure. Samples were hydrolyzed with 3 M HCl for 5 h (100 degrees C) and neutralized with anion retardation resin. Before injection, salts and organic contaminants were removed with a strong cation exchanger in the Na+ form. Detection limits for amino sugars were between 1 and 4 nM (signal-to-noise ratio 3), allowing for the first time quantification of amino sugars in seawater without preconcentration. Precision was 2-11% at the 20 nM level. The relatively simple and rapid sample preparation makes it suitable for routine analyses.