High-performance liquid chromatographic separation of carbohydrates on graphitized carbon columns.

Graphitized carbon columns (GCC) for high-performance liquid chromatography are relatively new and have a unique ability to resolve isomeric and closely related compounds. The retention mechanism of carbohydrates on GCC is mainly based on adsorption and the flat surface of GCC packings brings about unique selectivity, but also includes hydrophobic interactions. The chromatographic behaviour of monosaccharides, disaccharides, cyclodextrins (CDs), branched CDs, oligosaccharide alditols, chito-oligosaccharides, N-linked oligosaccharides and glycopeptides has been studied, and it has become apparent that the elution patterns are based on the size and planarity of the molecule (position and configuration of linkage).