[Ion chromatographic determination of lactulose and epilactose in the presence of lactose and other carbohydrates in milk and milk products].

A method is described for the analysis of carbohydrates in milk and milk products which develop during heat treatment. It is based on the separation of their borate complexes by anion exchange chromatography using two optimized buffer systems. A reliable qualitative and quantitative determination of the disaccharides lactulose and epilactose is possible even in the presence of large amounts of lactose (buffer system I). Using the second buffer system lactulose can also be detected in the presence of fructose. In addition other relevant carbohydrate components like ribose, mannose, galactose and glucose can be determined simultaneously.