Chromatography is the method used to separate sugars.

Explanation:
Chromatography is a technique used to separate and analyze mixtures of substances based on their different properties. It is widely used in various fields such as chemistry, biochemistry, and forensic science.

In the case of separating sugars, chromatography is particularly useful because sugars have different chemical properties that can be exploited for separation. The most commonly used form of chromatography for sugar separation is thin-layer chromatography (TLC).

Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC):
TLC is a type of chromatography where the stationary phase is a thin layer of adsorbent material coated on a flat surface, usually glass or plastic. The mobile phase, which is a solvent or a mixture of solvents, moves up the stationary phase through capillary action.

The process of separating sugars using TLC involves the following steps:

1. Preparation of the TLC plate:
A TLC plate is prepared by coating a thin layer of an adsorbent material, such as silica gel or cellulose, on a glass or plastic plate. The plate is then activated by heating or by exposing it to UV light.

2. Preparing the sample:
The sugar mixture to be separated is dissolved in a suitable solvent to form a solution. The solution is then spotted as a small dot near the bottom of the TLC plate using a capillary tube or a micropipette.

3. Developing the TLC plate:
The TLC plate is placed in a closed container with a small amount of the mobile phase solvent at the bottom. The solvent rises up the plate by capillary action, carrying the sugar mixture with it.

4. Separation of sugars:
As the mobile phase moves up the TLC plate, the individual sugar molecules interact differently with the stationary phase. This interaction is based on factors such as polarity, size, and chemical properties of the sugars. Consequently, each sugar will have a different rate of migration on the TLC plate. This difference in migration rates leads to the separation of sugars.

5. Visualization of separated sugars:
Once the mobile phase has reached the top of the TLC plate, the plate is removed from the container and dried. The separated sugars can be visualized using various techniques, such as staining with specific reagents or using UV light. This allows for the identification and quantification of the individual sugars.

In conclusion, chromatography, specifically thin-layer chromatography (TLC), is the method used to separate sugars based on their different properties and rates of migration on the TLC plate.

Chromatography method is used to separate sugars.They are separated by the chromatographic adsorption of their coloured esters.