Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: July 30, 2004
Publication Date: August 22, 2004
Citation: Savary, B.J., Nunez, A. 2004. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Determination Of Ester Contents Following Base And Enzyme-Hydrolysis Of Cell Wall Polysaccharides. (Abstract). 229th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Philadelphia, Pa. August 22-26, 2004. Carb:61.

Technical Abstract: We have developed a simple, fast, and direct gas chromatography procedure for the simultaneous and sensitive determination of methanol and acetic acid present as esters in pectin and other cell wall polysaccharides. This method takes advantage of readily available deuterated isotopomers for use as internal standards, a suitable solid-phase microextraction fiber for headspace sampling, and the selectivity of a mass spectrometry detector. The method can also be applied for detecting and quantifying corresponding esterase activities upon treatment of pectin, cell wall preparations, or other classes of similarly esterified polysaccharides. Details of the method and its application for enzyme analysis will be presented.