Analytical Methods for Sugars and Sugar Alcohols in Foods - Review Article
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Review
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1080/87559129.2026.2716339
- Journal Name: FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, CAB Abstracts, Compendex, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Hospitality & Tourism Complete, Hospitality & Tourism Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The precise profiling of soluble sugars and sugar alcohols in complex food matrices is a critical prerequisite for regulatory compliance, nutritional labeling, and adulteration mitigation. While conventional liquid chromatographic platforms (HPLC-RID/ELSD) remain widespread industrial standards, they are frequently bottlenecked by baseline instabilities and poor resolution. Advanced hyphenated frameworks, such as HILIC-MS/MS and high-pH HPAEC-PAD, successfully circumvent these limitations but demand capital-intensive instrumentation and resource-intensive workflows. Distinguishing itself from traditional catalog-style literature, this review delivers a systematic, application-oriented decision framework designed to guide researchers in method selection based directly on matrix complexity, detection sensitivity, and green foodomics paradigms up to 2026. We systematically weigh the operational trade-offs of each platform, thoroughly discussing critical limitations such as derivatization instability, ESI ionization suppression, and electrode fouling. Furthermore, we provide an updated discussion on integrating advanced transition metal nanomaterials (MOFs, nanostructured foams, nanowires) with synergistic machine learning algorithms. By assessing these hybrid digital-physical workflows, this article elucidates the transition from centralized laboratory environments to decentralized, field-deployable, automated industrial screening networks, serving as a comprehensive blueprint for contemporary food analysis.