Prior to 1980, most methods for analysis of glycoprotein carbohydrates utilized column, thin-layer, and paper chromatography, gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, and rarely nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These methods required relatively large amounts of materials (micromoles), specialized training and experience, and in some cases, significant capital equipment outlays. Because of these restrictions, convenient carbohydrate analysts on small samples was not available to most biologists. Recently, improvements in chromatographic methods, labeling methods for carbohydrates, carbohydrate-specific enzymes, and higher resolution electrophoresis methods have allowed carbohydrate analysts to be done on nanomolar amounts of material. Because of these improvements, today’s biologist now has an improved ability to evaluate the role of carbohydrates in their research and development work.
