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New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Publication No. D- 10205-1-84 supported by State Funds and Hatch Regional Fund NE-116. Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Sugars and Sugar-Alcohols in the Mesocarp, Endocarp, and Kernel of Almond Fruit F. Saura-Calixto,* J. Caiiellas, and A. Garcia-Raso Water-soluble carbohydrate composition of mesocarp (hulls), endocarp (shells), integument, and kernels of the almond was determined by GC on an SE-30 column under isothermal conditions. The Kovdts’ retention indices of the MeaSi derivatives of sugars and sugar-alcohols were determined. The oligo- saccharide content (sucrose and raffinose), expressed in zyxwv grams of sugar per 100 g of total sugars, increased from the outside to the inside of the fruit (i.e., hull to kernel), while reducing sugars and sorbitol decreased appreciably. In previous papers (Saura-Calixto and Caiiellas, 1982; Saura-Calixto et al., 1983), the chemical composition of mesocarp (hull), endocarp (shell), and kernel integument of almond fruits were reported. These papers embraced a study of the dietary fiber, mineral elements, and amino acid composition. Sugar content of mediterranean almond kernels varies between 4 and 8% of dry matter with sucrose the principal constituent (Casares and G p e z Herrera, 1952; Saura-Ca- lixto et al., 1980, Vidal-Valverde et al., 1978; Zuercher and Hadorn, 1976). The previous few reports on carbohydrate composition of the subproducts (hulls, shells, and tegu- ments) of almonds, which are finding increased uses in industry and animal nutrition, include the work of Se- queira and Leiw (1970) identifying fructose, glucose, su- crose, sorbitol, and inositol in hulls. We now report on the sugar and sugar-alcohol compo- sition of various parts of the almond fruit. EXPERIMENTAL SECTION Preparation of Samples for Analysis. Samples used corresponded to a mixture of the principal varieties of almonds cultivated on the island of Mallorca, Spain, com- mercially named “Mallorca Propietor”. Different parta of the fruit were mechanically separated, homogenized, and Sciences Faculty, University of Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. ground to pass through a 0.5-mm sieve. Eighty percent aqueous ethanol at 50 OC was employed to extract sugars, and the solvent was removed by vacuum distillation on a rotavapor to yield dry residues. Kernel oil was previously extracted with ethyl ether by using a Soxhlet extractor. The procedure of Sweeley et al. (1963) and conditions described by Laker (1980) were followed to prepare tri- methylsilyl derivatives (Me3&derivatives). One milliliter of anhydrous pyridine, 0.6 mL of hexamethyldisilazane, and 0.4 mL of trimethylchlorosilane were added to dry samples containing 10-20 mg of carbohydrates and shaken occasionally. Derivatization occurs at room temperature with quantitative yields. Similar treatment was carried out with 10 mg of each standard and with different standard mixtures. Previously, standard sugars were equilibrated for 24 h in an aqueous solution, which was then evaporated to dryness at 40 “C under vacuum before trimethylsilylation (Sawardeker and Sloneker, 1965). Derivatization reagents and sugar and sugar-alcohols standards were products used as reference substances for chromatography supplied by Carlo Erba and Merck. Gas Chromatographic Analysis. Gas-liquid chro- matography was carried out on a Model Sigma 3B Per- kin-Elmer chromatograph equipped with a Sigma 10B station data integrator using a stainless steel column (3 m X 0.3 cm) packed with 3% SE-30 on Supelcoport 801 100. Assays were performed under isothermal conditions. The operating conditions for Me@ derivatives of samples 0021-856118411432-1018$01.50/0 0 1984 American Chemical Society