Selective determination of pentoses,hexoses and 6-deoxyhexoses by dual-wavelength spectrophotometry with the cysteine—phenol—sulfuric acid system

A convenient method is described for the selective determination of pentoses, hexoses and 6-deoxyhexoses by dual-wavelength spectrophotometry with the l-cysteine—phenol—sulfuric acid system. Excellent linearity was observed for 25–250 nmol of pentoses, and for 25–500 nmol of hexoses and 6-deoxyhexoses. These aldoses in those sample ranges could be determined selectively with high accuracy and precision by the k -factor mode. The appropriate, wavelength of λ₂ was 462, 499 and 398 nm for pentoses, hexoses and 6-deoxyhexoses, respectively, whereas that of λ₁ was commonly 424 nm.