CHONDROITIN SULFATE

Chondroitin Sulfate is a naturally occurring sulfated glycosaminoglycan composed of repeating glucuronic acid and N-acetylgalactosamine units.

Chondroitin Sulfate is a structural component of cartilage and other extracellular matrices and is widely used in nutritional, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, analytical, and biomedical applications.

Chondroitin Sulfate is commonly supplied as a purified sodium salt with properties that vary according to biological source, sulfation pattern, molecular weight, and manufacturing process.

CAS Number: 9007-28-7

EC Number: 232-696-9

Molecular Formula: Variable polymeric structure; representative chondroitin-4-sulfate repeat formula (C₁₄H₂₁NO₁₄S)ₙ·xH₂O

Molecular Weight: Variable and source dependent

SYNONYMS

Chondroitin Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulphate, Chondroitin Sulfuric Acid, Chondroitin Hydrogen Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfates, Sulfated Chondroitin, Sulfated Chondroitin Polysaccharide, Chondroitin Sulfate Glycosaminoglycan, Chondroitin Glycosaminoglycan, CS, ChS, Chondroitin Sulfate A, Chondroitin A Sulfate, Chondroitin 4-Sulfate, Chondroitin-4-Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate C, Chondroitin C Sulfate, Chondroitin 6-Sulfate, Chondroitin-6-Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate Sodium, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate Sodium Salt, Chondroitin Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chondroitin Sulphate, Chondroitin Sulfate from Bovine Cartilage, Chondroitin Sulfate from Porcine Cartilage, Chondroitin Sulfate from Avian Cartilage, Chondroitin Sulfate from Marine Cartilage, Chondroitin Sulfate from Fish Cartilage, Chondroitin Sulfate from Shark Cartilage, Fermentation-Derived Chondroitin Sulfate, Enzymatically Sulfated Chondroitin, Low-Molecular-Weight Chondroitin Sulfate, Hydrolyzed Chondroitin Sulfate, Pharmaceutical-Grade Chondroitin Sulfate, Nutritional-Grade Chondroitin Sulfate, Cosmetic-Grade Chondroitin Sulfate, Analytical-Grade Chondroitin Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate Reference Standard, Chondroitin Sulfate Biomaterial, Chondroitin Sulfate Polyanion, Sulfated Galactosaminoglycan, Glucuronosyl-N-Acetylgalactosamine Sulfate Polymer, CAS 9007-28-7, EC 232-696-9, EINECS 232-696-9, CHEBI 37397, CHEBI:37397, PubChem CID 24766, DTXSID601017238

APPLICATIONS

Chondroitin Sulfate serves as an ingredient in dietary supplement capsules developed for joint-health and connective-tissue formulations.
Chondroitin Sulfate requires source verification, purity control, accurate labeling, and compliance with the supplement regulations of the destination market.

Chondroitin Sulfate supports compressed tablets containing mineral ingredients, vitamins, glucosamine, collagen-derived ingredients, or other compatible nutritional components.
Chondroitin Sulfate requires excipient selection that provides acceptable powder flow, compression behavior, disintegration, and active-content uniformity.

Chondroitin Sulfate contributes to powdered nutritional formulations packaged in sachets, jars, or single-serving stick packs.
Chondroitin Sulfate allows dry formulations to be dispersed in water when particle size, salt form, and agglomeration are appropriately controlled.

Chondroitin Sulfate functions in nutritional beverage powders where the intended food use is legally authorized.
Chondroitin Sulfate requires flavor masking because animal-derived and incompletely purified grades may possess a characteristic taste or odor.

Chondroitin Sulfate supports liquid nutritional products when the selected grade provides adequate solubility and storage stability.
Chondroitin Sulfate can increase viscosity or interact with minerals and proteins when Chondroitin Sulfate is incorporated at elevated concentrations.

Chondroitin Sulfate contributes to chewable tablets, soft chews, and gummy formulations developed for human nutritional use.
Chondroitin Sulfate requires heat and moisture evaluation because prolonged processing may alter molecular weight or product quality.

Chondroitin Sulfate serves as an ingredient in veterinary nutritional formulations for companion animals.
Chondroitin Sulfate veterinary products must avoid unauthorized disease-treatment claims unless the finished formulation is approved as an animal drug.

Chondroitin Sulfate supports oral pharmaceutical formulations in countries where pharmaceutical-grade Chondroitin Sulfate is authorized.
Chondroitin Sulfate pharmaceutical use requires validated identity, molecular-weight distribution, sulfation profile, purity, dosage, and clinical documentation.

Chondroitin Sulfate contributes to ophthalmic viscoelastic materials when a suitable sodium salt is incorporated into a validated sterile formulation.
Chondroitin Sulfate can provide viscosity, surface protection, and macromolecular lubrication during specialized ophthalmic procedures.

Chondroitin Sulfate supports ophthalmic research involving combinations with hyaluronic acid and other biocompatible polysaccharides.
Chondroitin Sulfate requires strict control of endotoxins, sterility, molecular weight, osmolality, pH, and particulate contamination for ocular applications.

Chondroitin Sulfate functions as a moisture-binding ingredient in cosmetic creams and lotions.
Chondroitin Sulfate helps water remain associated with the applied cosmetic film because the sulfated polysaccharide contains numerous hydrophilic groups.

Chondroitin Sulfate contributes to facial serums designed to provide hydration, film formation, and improved skin feel.
Chondroitin Sulfate can be combined with compatible humectants, amino acids, polysaccharides, and nonionic formulation ingredients.

Chondroitin Sulfate supports cosmetic masks and hydrogel patches intended to maintain prolonged contact with the skin.
Chondroitin Sulfate improves water retention within compatible polymer networks and can contribute to a smooth, flexible gel structure.

Chondroitin Sulfate functions in eye-area cosmetics requiring a water-compatible conditioning polysaccharide.
Chondroitin Sulfate must be assessed for purity, microbiological quality, preservative compatibility, and ocular-area tolerance.

Chondroitin Sulfate contributes to hair-conditioning and scalp-care formulations requiring a substantive anionic biopolymer.
Chondroitin Sulfate can improve moisturized feel and film formation when Chondroitin Sulfate remains compatible with cationic conditioning ingredients.

Chondroitin Sulfate supports wound-dressing research involving absorbent films, foams, fibers, membranes, and hydrogel matrices.
Chondroitin Sulfate can be incorporated into hydrated materials designed to maintain moisture and provide a biomimetic extracellular environment.

Chondroitin Sulfate functions in tissue-engineering scaffolds developed to reproduce selected properties of extracellular matrix.
Chondroitin Sulfate provides sulfate and carboxylate groups that interact with water, proteins, ions, and compatible polymer networks.

Chondroitin Sulfate contributes to cartilage tissue-engineering hydrogels designed to support chondrogenic cell environments.
Chondroitin Sulfate can be combined with gelatin, collagen, hyaluronic acid, polyethylene glycol, or synthetic polypeptides.

Chondroitin Sulfate supports injectable and photocrosslinkable hydrogel research after suitable functional groups are attached to the polymer backbone.
Chondroitin Sulfate derivatives allow swelling, degradation, stiffness, adhesion, and release behavior to be adjusted through crosslinking density.

Chondroitin Sulfate functions in three-dimensional bioprinting materials developed for cartilage and soft-tissue research.
Chondroitin Sulfate contributes biological and rheological properties when Chondroitin Sulfate is incorporated into a printable hydrogel formulation.

Chondroitin Sulfate supports drug-delivery systems based on hydrogels, nanoparticles, microparticles, conjugates, and polymer complexes.
Chondroitin Sulfate provides chemically modifiable hydroxyl, carboxylate, and sulfate-containing regions for delivery-system development.

Chondroitin Sulfate contributes to sustained-release formulations designed to retain proteins, growth factors, or compatible pharmaceutical compounds.
Chondroitin Sulfate can interact with positively charged molecules and modify diffusion through electrostatic association.

Chondroitin Sulfate functions in targeted-delivery research involving receptors that recognize sulfated glycosaminoglycan structures.
Chondroitin Sulfate targeting behavior depends on molecular weight, sulfation pattern, conjugated ligand, carrier structure, and biological model.

Chondroitin Sulfate supports biosensor, diagnostic, and biointerface research requiring a sulfated polysaccharide coating.
Chondroitin Sulfate can be immobilized on particles, membranes, electrodes, and polymer surfaces through adsorption or covalent attachment.

Chondroitin Sulfate serves as an analytical reference material for identity, purity, molecular-weight, and disaccharide-composition testing.
Chondroitin Sulfate supports chromatographic, electrophoretic, spectroscopic, enzymatic, and mass-spectrometric analytical procedures.

DESCRIPTION

Chondroitin Sulfate is a linear sulfated glycosaminoglycan constructed from repeating disaccharide units.
Chondroitin Sulfate contains alternating β-D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-β-D-galactosamine residues.

Chondroitin Sulfate contains sulfate ester groups primarily attached to the N-acetylgalactosamine residues.
Chondroitin Sulfate also contains carboxylate groups supplied by the glucuronic acid residues.

Chondroitin Sulfate A is predominantly associated with sulfation at the 4-position of N-acetylgalactosamine.
Chondroitin Sulfate C is predominantly associated with sulfation at the 6-position of N-acetylgalactosamine.

Chondroitin Sulfate may contain mixtures of 4-sulfated, 6-sulfated, unsulfated, and more highly sulfated disaccharide units.
Chondroitin Sulfate structural composition varies according to tissue, animal species, age, extraction process, and purification method.

Chondroitin Sulfate B is a historical name for Dermatan Sulfate and is not considered a true Chondroitin Sulfate.
Chondroitin Sulfate differs from Dermatan Sulfate because Chondroitin Sulfate primarily contains glucuronic acid rather than iduronic acid.

Chondroitin Sulfate is naturally present in cartilage, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, skin, vascular structures, and extracellular matrices.
Chondroitin Sulfate participates in hydrated proteoglycan structures that contribute to tissue organization and mechanical behavior.

Chondroitin Sulfate is commercially obtained mainly from purified animal cartilage and other glycosaminoglycan-rich tissues.
Chondroitin Sulfate sources can include bovine, porcine, avian, fish, and other marine raw materials.

Chondroitin Sulfate production commonly involves tissue pretreatment, enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis, protein removal, filtration, precipitation, and purification.
Chondroitin Sulfate manufacturing conditions strongly influence molecular weight, sulfation profile, color, purity, and residual protein content.

Chondroitin Sulfate can also be developed through microbial fermentation, enzymatic polymer modification, and controlled sulfation technologies.
Chondroitin Sulfate produced through biotechnological methods may provide animal-free sourcing and improved structural consistency.

Chondroitin Sulfate is commonly supplied as Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate because the sodium salt provides practical water compatibility.
Chondroitin Sulfate free-acid and alternative salt forms may display different solubility, pH, mineral content, and handling characteristics.

Chondroitin Sulfate generally appears as a white to off-white hygroscopic powder after purification and drying.
Chondroitin Sulfate appearance can become cream-colored or pale yellow when residual proteins, pigments, moisture, or processing impurities remain.

Chondroitin Sulfate is soluble or dispersible in water when supplied as a suitable purified sodium salt.
Chondroitin Sulfate is generally insoluble in common nonpolar oils and most hydrophobic organic solvents.

Chondroitin Sulfate behaves as a strongly anionic polyelectrolyte because of sulfate and carboxylate groups.
Chondroitin Sulfate can interact with cationic polymers, proteins, metal ions, surfactants, and positively charged active ingredients.

Chondroitin Sulfate has no single fixed molecular weight because Chondroitin Sulfate consists of polymer chains with different lengths.
Chondroitin Sulfate molecular-weight distribution depends on biological source, extraction severity, purification, hydrolysis, and storage history.

Chondroitin Sulfate quality requires more than measurement of total sulfate or total glycosaminoglycan content.
Chondroitin Sulfate quality assessment should include identity, assay, molecular-weight distribution, disaccharide profile, purity, source, and contaminant testing.

Chondroitin Sulfate can contain related glycosaminoglycans, residual proteins, nucleic acids, salts, microorganisms, endotoxins, or processing residues when purification is inadequate.
Chondroitin Sulfate intended for regulated applications requires source-specific and application-specific impurity controls.

Chondroitin Sulfate can be depolymerized through excessive acid, alkali, oxidation, enzymatic activity, or prolonged high-temperature processing.
Chondroitin Sulfate degradation can reduce viscosity and alter molecular-weight distribution, sulfation pattern, and functional performance.

Chondroitin Sulfate remains most stable when Chondroitin Sulfate is stored dry, tightly closed, and protected from excessive heat and humidity.
Chondroitin Sulfate solutions require microbiological protection and formulation-specific stability testing during extended storage.

Chondroitin Sulfate has no universally applicable molecular formula because commercial Chondroitin Sulfate contains variable chain lengths and sulfation patterns.
Chondroitin Sulfate can be represented through an idealized repeating-unit formula only when the sulfation position and protonation state are specified.

Chondroitin Sulfate provides high water affinity because Chondroitin Sulfate contains numerous hydroxyl, sulfate, and carboxylate groups.
Chondroitin Sulfate contributes osmotic swelling, hydration, ionic interaction, and macromolecular network formation in biological and engineered systems.

Chondroitin Sulfate biological and formulation properties depend strongly on structural quality rather than chemical name alone.
Chondroitin Sulfate grades from different sources should not be considered interchangeable without comparative analytical and performance testing.

Chondroitin Sulfate regulatory status varies between foods, dietary supplements, medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, veterinary products, and research materials.
Chondroitin Sulfate must be selected according to the purity, documentation, traceability, and authorization required for the intended application.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Name: Chondroitin Sulfate

Alternative Spelling: Chondroitin Sulphate

Abbreviation: CS

Chemical Class: Sulfated Glycosaminoglycan

Polymer Type: Linear Anionic Polysaccharide

Substance Type: Naturally Derived or Biotechnologically Produced Macromolecule

CAS Number: 9007-28-7

EC Number: 232-696-9

PubChem CID: 24766 for a Representative Structural Record

ChEBI ID: CHEBI:37397

DSSTox Substance ID: DTXSID601017238

Molecular Formula: Variable Polymeric Structure

Representative Chondroitin-4-Sulfate Formula: (C₁₄H₂₁NO₁₄S)ₙ·xH₂O

Representative Isolated Disaccharide Formula: C₁₄H₂₃NO₁₅S

Molecular Weight: Variable

Molecular-Weight Distribution: Source and Process Dependent

Monosaccharide Components: D-Glucuronic Acid and N-Acetyl-D-Galactosamine

Repeating Unit: Glucuronic Acid-N-Acetylgalactosamine Disaccharide

Primary Sulfation Positions: 4-O-Sulfate and 6-O-Sulfate

Chondroitin Sulfate A: Predominantly Chondroitin 4-Sulfate

Chondroitin Sulfate C: Predominantly Chondroitin 6-Sulfate

Chondroitin Sulfate B: Historical Misnomer for Dermatan Sulfate

Common Commercial Salt: Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate

Common Biological Sources: Bovine, Porcine, Avian, Fish, and Marine Cartilage

Emerging Sources: Microbial Fermentation and Enzymatic Biosynthesis

Physical State: Solid

Appearance: White to Off-White Powder

Odor: Odorless or Mild Characteristic Odor

Taste: Mild, Saline, or Characteristic, Depending on Grade

Water Solubility: Soluble or Readily Dispersible for Suitable Sodium-Salt Grades

Oil Solubility: Insoluble

Ionic Character: Strongly Anionic

Charge-Producing Groups: Sulfate and Carboxylate Groups

Hygroscopicity: Hygroscopic or Moisture Sensitive

Solution Behavior: Polyelectrolyte

Solution Viscosity: Concentration and Molecular-Weight Dependent

Film-Forming Ability: Present

Water-Binding Ability: High

Protein-Binding Ability: Structure and Charge Dependent

Cationic Polymer Compatibility: Strong Interaction or Complex Formation Possible

Anionic Polymer Compatibility: Generally Better but Formulation Dependent

Nonionic Polymer Compatibility: Often Good, Subject to Testing

Mineral Compatibility: Divalent and Multivalent Ions Can Affect Solution Behavior

pH Sensitivity: Stability and Ionization Depend on pH

Heat Sensitivity: Prolonged High Temperature Can Reduce Molecular Weight

Acid Sensitivity: Strong Acid Can Promote Hydrolysis

Alkali Sensitivity: Strong Alkali Can Alter Polymer Structure

Oxidation Sensitivity: Strong Oxidants Can Depolymerize Chondroitin Sulfate

Enzymatic Degradation: Susceptible to Chondroitinases

Primary Nutritional Function: Ingredient in Joint-Health Supplement Formulations

Primary Pharmaceutical Function: Active or Functional Macromolecule in Authorized Applications

Primary Cosmetic Functions: Skin Conditioning, Moisture Retention, and Film Formation

Primary Biomedical Functions: Hydrogel Component, Scaffold Material, Delivery Carrier, and Biointerface Modifier

Analytical Identity Methods: Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Electrophoresis, and Enzymatic Chromatography

Molecular-Weight Methods: Size-Exclusion Chromatography and Related Polymer Analysis

Disaccharide-Profile Methods: Enzymatic Digestion Followed by Chromatographic Analysis

Common Quality Tests: Identity, Assay, Molecular Weight, Sulfation Pattern, Protein, Moisture, Ash, and Microbiological Quality

Source-Authentication Methods: Disaccharide Profiling, Spectroscopy, Electrophoresis, and Traceability Documentation

Potential Impurities: Related Glycosaminoglycans, Proteins, Salts, Nucleic Acids, Microorganisms, and Processing Residues

Endotoxin Requirement: Application Dependent

Sterility Requirement: Required for Applicable Sterile Pharmaceutical and Medical Uses

Allergen Consideration: Biological Source and Residual Protein Dependent

Chemical Stability: Stable under Recommended Dry Storage Conditions

Storage Conditions: Cool, Dry, Tightly Closed, and Protected from Heat and Humidity

Shelf Life: Grade and Specification Dependent

FIRST AID

Inhalation: Move the person exposed to Chondroitin Sulfate dust into fresh air and keep the person comfortable.
Obtain medical advice if Chondroitin Sulfate exposure causes persistent coughing, respiratory irritation, wheezing, or breathing difficulty.

Skin Contact: Wash skin exposed to Chondroitin Sulfate thoroughly with soap and water.
Obtain medical advice if Chondroitin Sulfate causes persistent irritation, redness, itching, or a source-related allergic response.

Eye Contact: Rinse eyes exposed to Chondroitin Sulfate with clean running water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove contact lenses when easy to do and obtain medical attention if Chondroitin Sulfate causes continuing redness, pain, or visual discomfort.

Ingestion: Rinse the mouth thoroughly after accidental ingestion of industrial or laboratory-grade Chondroitin Sulfate.
Obtain medical advice after substantial Chondroitin Sulfate ingestion or whenever nausea, abdominal discomfort, or an allergic response develops.

Note to Physicians: Treat Chondroitin Sulfate exposure symptomatically and provide supportive care.
Consider the biological source, purity grade, residual protein content, accompanying ingredients, and quantity involved in Chondroitin Sulfate exposure.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling: Handle Chondroitin Sulfate according to good industrial hygiene and the quality requirements of the intended application.
Avoid generating Chondroitin Sulfate dust and prevent contamination during weighing, sieving, blending, sampling, and packaging.

Ventilation: Provide adequate general ventilation wherever Chondroitin Sulfate powder is transferred or processed.
Use local exhaust ventilation and suitable respiratory protection when airborne Chondroitin Sulfate dust cannot be adequately controlled.

Storage: Store Chondroitin Sulfate in tightly closed and moisture-resistant containers within a cool and dry area.
Protect Chondroitin Sulfate from excessive heat, humidity, direct sunlight, oxidizing agents, microorganisms, and cross-contamination.

Spill and Leak Procedures: Collect spilled Chondroitin Sulfate with a low-dust mechanical or vacuum method.
Place recovered Chondroitin Sulfate in labeled containers and clean the affected surface carefully because wet Chondroitin Sulfate may become slippery.

Handling Precautions: Wear suitable gloves, protective clothing, and safety glasses while handling bulk Chondroitin Sulfate.
Review the current grade-specific Safety Data Sheet and source documentation before using Chondroitin Sulfate in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, veterinary, or biomedical applications.