Abstract:

This study aimed to establish an accurate method for quantitatively determining xylan for the purpose
of broadening its range of application. A comparative evaluation of two sample pretreatment methods including
hydroformylation and hydrolytic saccharification respectively coupled with various analytical techniques such as gas
chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), colorimetry and titrimetrywas was carried out for
the determination of xylan in the same batch of sugarcane bagasse. The results showed that the hydroformylation method
could only detect the pentose but it could not detect the hexose, which was unable to be converted into furfural. On the
other hand, by the combined use of hydrolytic saccharification with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) colorimetry, HPLC with
Ca2+ column and pre-column derivatization HPLC, respectively, the results obtained were basically identical and authentic, that
is, both pentose and hexose could be detected using these methods. Single HPLC with Ca2+ column or pre-column derivatization
HPLC could not separate effectively some of the constituent monosaccharides. However, using a combination of the two HPLC
methods the four monosaccharides consisting of xylan could be accurately detected including xylose, arabinose, galactose and
glucose. This combination of HPLC methods is suitable for monosaccharide composition analysis of xylan in most plants.

Key words: sugar cane bagasse, xylan, contant, determination