High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) coupled with precolumn derivatization was developed for isolating and purifying fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs). Firstly, the total FOSs were precolumn derivatized and then separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with two-phase solvent system petroleum ether-n-butanol-methanol-water (3:2:1:4, v/v). Secondly, the obtained compounds were deacetylated and the fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs) with high purity were obtained. Their structures were identified by mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This research successfully established a novel strategy for separation and purification of FOS. There is no doubt that the application of the research will be beneficial for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of products containing FOSs.
Keywords: fructo-oligosaccharide; high-speed counter-current chromatography; precolumn derivatization; separation and purification.