QUANTITATIVE-ANALYSIS OF SACCHARIDES IN WOOD PULPS BY QUARTZ-TUBE PULSE PYROLYSIS-POLAR PHASE GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY

Quantitative values for glucose and xylose in various wood pulps have been measured by pyrolysis-gas chromatography. Glucose and xylose saccharides were measured as their individual anhydro sugars, common products of carbohydrate pyrolysis. Samples were pyrolyzed using the coil/quartz tube Pyroprobe pyrolyzer which was interfaced to a polar phase capillary column. Pulp samples examined were kraft, mechanical, thermal mechanical, organosolv (Alcell) and steam explosion. Microcrystalline cellulose and xylan from oat spelts were used as standards. It is important that the inorganic content be reduced as much as possible by washing in mild acid solution or by deionizing with exchange resin. Trace acid residue in the acid-washed sample and lower ash content together are believed to promote higher and more reproducible yields of anhydro sugar products.