Abstract: An ion chromatography-direct conductivity detection method was developed for determining betaine in molasses. The chromatographic separation of betaine was achieved on a WY cation column (150 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.) using 2.0 mmol/L MSA as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column was set at 30 ℃. Betaine was detected using a direct conductivity detector. A good linear range of the calibration curve was achieved over the concentration of 0.5－50 mg/L (r = 0.9995) with recovery rate of 93.5%－99.7% and detection limit of 0.15 mg/L. The method was suitable for the determination of betaine and quality control for betaine extraction from molasses.

Key words: ion chromatography, direct conductivity detection, betaine, molasses