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Glucosamine sulfate is a naturally occurring compound used extensively as a dietary supplement to support joint health.
It plays a critical role in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), essential components of cartilage.
It is most often used in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA).
CAS Numbers:
Glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride: 31284-96-5
Glucosamine sulfate sodium chloride: 38899-05-7
Glucosamine sulfate (unspecified salt): 38899-05-7
Synonyms:
2-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose sulfate,D-Glucosamine sulfate,Chitosamine sulfate,GS
Chemical and Physical Properties
2.1 Molecular Structure
Molecular Formula (base): C6H13NO5
Molecular Formula (sulfate salt): Varies by salt (e.g., C6H14KNO9S for potassium salt)
Molecular Weight:
Base: 179.17 g/mol
Sulfate salts: ~ 300–500 g/mol depending on salt type
Structural Description
Glucosamine is an amino monosaccharide with a hydroxylated ring structure.
It is derived from glucose by replacing a hydroxyl group with an amino group at C2 and combining with sulfuric acid to form the sulfate salt.
Physical Properties
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Solubility: Soluble in water
Taste: Slightly sweet, characteristic
pKa: ~7.9
Sources and Production
Natural Sources
Found in the exoskeletons of shellfish (crabs, shrimp), from which it is commercially extracted.
Also found in fungal cell walls and chitin.
Industrial Synthesis
Typically derived from hydrolysis of chitin, followed by sulfation and neutralization with KCl or NaCl.
Synthesis may include enzymatic or acid-catalyzed depolymerization.
Mechanism of Action
Enhances cartilage formation by stimulating chondrocyte activity.
Promotes synthesis of hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, and collagen.
Inhibits catabolic enzymes like metalloproteinases and phospholipase A2.
Modulates inflammatory responses, reducing IL-1β and TNF-α.
Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism
Absorption
Oral bioavailability: ~26%
Peak plasma concentration reached in 2–4 hours.
Distribution
Widely distributed in joint tissues.
Metabolism
Primarily metabolized in the liver.
Metabolites excreted via urine.
Elimination
Half-life: 15–20 hours
Excretion: Mainly renal
Clinical Applications
Osteoarthritis Treatment
Most common use is symptomatic relief of knee osteoarthritis.
Reduces joint pain, stiffness, and functional limitation.
Other Potential Uses
Temporomandibular joint disorder
Intervertebral disc degeneration
Inflammatory bowel disease (under investigation)
Formulations and Dosage
Available Forms
Tablets, capsules, powders, injectable (less common)
Often combined with chondroitin sulfate, MSM, or hyaluronic acid
Dosage
Typical dose: 1500 mg/day (either as a single dose or divided)
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off conSAFETYtaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
