Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate · Joint Health Complex for Dietary Supplements

Key ingredient options

• Glucosamine sulfate – commonly supplied as:
  • Glucosamine sulfate 2KCl (glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride), or
  • Glucosamine sulfate 2NaCl (glucosamine sulfate sodium chloride),
  with a defined assay for glucosamine content (calculated on dry basis).
• Glucosamine HCl – glucosamine hydrochloride with high glucosamine content, often used when lower sodium/potassium contribution or different formulation behaviour is desired.
• Chondroitin sulfate – usually supplied as chondroitin sulfate sodium with typical assays such as 90% or higher, depending on grade and specification.
• Physical form: white to off-white crystalline or granular powders designed for tablet, capsule and powder applications.
• Solubility:
  • Glucosamine sulfate and HCl are freely soluble or dispersible in water,
  • Chondroitin sulfate sodium is water-soluble and typically used in powder blends and some liquid supplement formats.
• Origin: manufactured from marine or other animal sources or via specific processing routes. Source and processing route are confirmed in technical and supply documentation.
• Regulatory status:
  • Use in foods and supplements is market- and category-specific,
  • Joint health, mobility and related claims must follow local nutrition and health claim frameworks.

Atlas helps customers select suitable glucosamine sulfate vs. glucosamine HCl and chondroitin sulfate grades based on target dosage form, label strategy, regulatory environment and cost-in-use.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are agreed for each grade and project. Typical parameters for glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate include:

• Assay (glucosamine): usually defined as a range (e.g. ~90–100% equivalent glucosamine content) depending on sulfate/HCl form and salt.
• Assay (chondroitin sulfate): typically around 90–105% chondroitin sulfate on dried basis, as agreed.
• Identification tests: confirm the presence of glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate and the respective salts (sulfate/HCl/Na/K).
• Appearance: white to off-white, free-flowing powder suitable for tableting and encapsulation.
• pH (in solution): controlled within an agreed range, relevant for powder blends, liquids and suspension stability.
• Loss on drying: controlled to maintain assay stability, flow and compressibility.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: limited in line with ingredient purity and regulatory requirements.
• Sodium/potassium content: monitored for products where overall electrolyte intake may need to be managed.
• Heavy metals & selected elements: restricted to comply with food and supplement standards.
• Protein, nitrogen and identity-related tests (especially for chondroitin): supporting verification of grade and origin where required.
• Microbiological profile: low counts appropriate for solid and liquid dietary supplement applications.
• Particle size distribution & bulk density: defined to support tablet hardness, capsule fill weight consistency and blend uniformity.

Each batch is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO status, allergen declarations, BSE/TSE statements, dietary suitability, contaminants & heavy metal data, origin, Halal/Kosher certificates and other regulatory support) can be provided according to supplier, origin and target markets.

Core joint health applications*

• Joint health tablets & caplets* – classic glucosamine + chondroitin sulfate tablets, often combined with minerals (e.g. calcium, magnesium), vitamins (e.g. vitamin C, vitamin D), collagen, MSM and botanical extracts.
• Capsules & multi-ingredient blends* – flexible capsule formats combining glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, collagen peptides, amino acids and plant extracts for adult consumers.
• Active-aging & mobility formulas* – joint health complexes positioned for older adults and active-aging segments, often in smaller tablets/capsules or once-daily formats.

*All joint health and mobility applications must comply with local regulations concerning permitted ingredients, maximum daily intakes, health claims and target populations.

Powders, RTM blends & gummies

• Powder blends & sachets – glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can be incorporated into flavoured powder blends for on-the-go preparation in water or juice, with suitable sweeteners, flavours and acids.
• RTM joint health drinks – used in ready-to-mix functional beverages with other actives such as collagen, amino acids, minerals and vitamins, subject to formulation and regulatory constraints.
• Gummies & soft chews – glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may be formulated into adult gummies where dosage, solubility and texture are carefully managed, often together with vitamin D, vitamin C and collagen.

Combination concepts with other actives

• Glucosamine + chondroitin + MSM – a common combination in advanced joint support formulas.
• Joint health & collagen systems – combining glucosamine and chondroitin with collagen peptides, amino acids and vitamin C in powders, tablets or RTM blends.
• Plant-based & hybrid formulas – integrating glucosamine and chondroitin with herbal extracts (e.g. turmeric/curcumin, boswellia), plant polyphenols and antioxidants, where permitted.

Formulation guidance

• Dosage strategies:
  • Dose is typically expressed in mg glucosamine (often as sulfate or HCl) and mg chondroitin sulfate per serving,
  • Recommended daily intakes depend on local regulations, product category and target consumer (generally adults; not usually targeted at children or pregnant/breastfeeding women).
• Tableting & encapsulation:
  • Ingredient particle size and density are selected to achieve tablet hardness, disintegration and minimal capping,
  • Capsule formulations must consider fill volume and flow properties, especially at higher doses.
• Powder & beverage systems:
  • Solubility and dispersibility in water should be tested at intended doses and pH values,
  • Flavour systems (e.g. citrus, berry, tropical) and sweeteners are adjusted to mask any inherent taste of the actives.
• Sensory & physical stability:
  • Joint health complexes can be high-dose, so overall tablet size and mouthfeel require careful design,
  • In powders and gummies, water activity, texture and flavour stability must be validated over shelf life.
• Regulatory & labelling:
  • Manufacturers must confirm the regulatory status of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for foods and supplements in each destination market.
  • Any joint health, mobility or cartilage-related claims must follow locally approved nutrition and health claim rules, including wording and supporting evidence where needed.
  • Labels should declare per-serving amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, indicate the source and form (e.g. glucosamine sulfate 2KCl, glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulfate sodium), and provide usage guidance and warnings where required by law.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine HCl and chondroitin sulfate with agreed specifications covering assay, identity, impurities, microbiological limits and physical properties.
• Each batch is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet detailing key analytical parameters and methods.
• Additional documentation may include GMO status, allergen declarations, BSE/TSE statements, contaminants & heavy metal data, solvent declarations, dietary suitability (e.g. pescatarian/other where applicable), origin and Halal/Kosher certificates, depending on the selected grade and producer.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000), with further certifications available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum daily intakes, health claims, warnings and labelling in each destination market and product category.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: typically 20–25 kg fibre drums or multi-wall paper bags with inner liners to protect against moisture and contamination. Other pack sizes can be evaluated for specific projects.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other amino acids, joint health ingredients, vitamins, minerals, proteins and functional components.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from moisture, heat and odour-intensive materials to maintain assay, flow and compressibility.
• Typical shelf life is defined on the product specification and COA; customers should validate active content, physical properties and sensory behaviour in finished products over intended shelf life.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored offer, please share your intended applications (joint health tablets/capsules, RTM powders, gummies, active-aging or mobility lines, etc.), target daily intakes of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, preferred forms (glucosamine sulfate 2KCl / 2NaCl, glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulfate sodium), co-ingredients (MSM, collagen, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, botanicals, etc.), annual volume, preferred packaging, documentation/certification needs (Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, specific contaminant limits, etc.) and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable grades and system concepts to support your joint health and mobility projects.