A Study on the Simple Method for Identification of the Kinds of Sugars and the Evaluation of Qualities

Abstract

Color reaction of fine granulated sugars with iodine vapor, which is used for the spot detection on the thin layer chromatogram, was studied to use it as a simple method for identification of sugar kind and for evaluation of its purity. The color intensity varied with the sort and purity of sugar samples, ranging from yellowish brown of higher grade cane sugar products to reddish brown of beet sugar ones which contained larger amount of impurity, and it was in close positive correlation with whiteness of the products and with contents of ninhydrin-active substances and electrolytes. The method was concluded to be available for the purpose described above.