This article looks at the benefits of using a dual-column system for the analysis of sugars and sterols.
Gas chromatography (GC) plays an important role in the screening and follow up of patients with metabolism errors caused by disorders and syndromes such as Galactosaemia (OMIM#230400), Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS, OMIM#270400) and Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX, OMIM#213700). GC is the method of choice in the analysis of monosaccharides, polyols and sterols. It separates complex mixtures with high resolution, and allows a reliable qualitative and quantitative interpretation. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is necessary to identify the compound and also permits quantification of monosaccharides and polyols (e.g., glucose, galactose, galactitol) and sterols, such as cholesterol, cholestanol, 7- and 8-dehydrocholesterol.
