A simple fast method for sample preparation and the simultaneous quantification of sugars and polyols in diet/light ice creams, using HPLC-RI, was investigated. The sugars fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose, together with glycerol and sorbitol, were separated. Different variables were tested both for sample preparation and for the chromatographic conditions used to separate the components. The best conditions to separate these components from the matrix were by way of two extractions with water:ethanol (1:8 v/v followed by 1:4 v/v). The chromatographic separation using an CLC-NH2 column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water (77.5:22.5 v/v) with flow rate of 1mL/min, at 30ºC. The run time was less than 20 min. Samples of three different brands of strawberry, chocolate, chocolate chip and vanilla ice cream, all collected in Campinas-S.P., presented values for total sugars between 9 and 15%. Only the strawberry flavored ice creams showed the presence of fructose (0.1-0.5%) and only the chocolate chip ice creams showed the presence of sucrose in higher quantities. The sugar found in greatest amounts was lactose (3.5-10%), whatever the brand or flavor. Sorbitol was present in amounts of 3-4%. The same analyses was applied to non-light ice cream, which presented value for total sugars of approximately 29%, of which 16.8% was sucrose, polyols not being detected. Sorbitol recovery was tested in one of these samples(99.3%). The values encountered were compared with the values legally permitted.
sugars; polyols; HPLC; ice creams diet/light
