Carbohydrate Composition Analysis in Xylem.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a widely applied technique in carbohydrate composition analysis due to high accuracy and repeatability. As cell walls are the major carbohydrate pool in xylem tissues, the measurement of carbohydrate composition essentially constitutes an analysis of wall residues. Here, we describe the method for quantification of the contents of several common neutral monosaccharides and cellulose, the major components of cell walls in poplar xylem tissues, by GC-MS. The procedures for extraction of cell wall residues from xylem, generation of alditol derivatives, subsequent further separation on gas chromatograph, and detection by mass spectrometer are included.