Mannitol estimation in biological fluids by gas-liquid chromatography of trimethylsilyl derivatives.

We describe a procedure for estimating mannitol concentrations in biological fluids. Samples are mixed with internal standard solution (alpha-methylglucose), deproteinized if necessary, desalted, and dried. Specimens are then derivatized by adding pyridine/bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide/trimethylchlorosilane and heating at 60 degrees C for 30 min. Samples are chromatographed on a 275-cm column of 10% OV-17, operated at 190 degrees C, and quantitated by peak-height measurement. The technique is linear, accurate, precise, sensitive, and free from interference. It has been used to measure mannitol in plasma, urine, and bile.