A charring method for quantitative determination of carbohydrates on thin-layer chromatograms.

A new method for the quantitative determination of carbohydrates on thin-layer chromatography has been devised. The method is based on charring the spots with sulphuric acid generated from interaction of sulphuryl chloride with water vapour, and quantification of carbohydrates by photodensitometry of the chromatograms. In contrast to current methods, this one does not require the use of several reagents and the charred plates can be stored without fading. The method is simple, sensitive and reproducible.