Description
A sulfated glycosaminoglycan composed of alternating N-acetylgalactosamine and glucuronic acid units. A major structural component of cartilage, used in joint-health supplements typically in combination with glucosamine.
White to off-white powder with slight characteristic odour. Water-soluble. Hygroscopic; supplied with controlled moisture and protected from humidity during shipment and storage.
We supply food-grade Chondroitin Sulfate from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production. Bovine, porcine, avian (chicken cartilage), and shark-cartilage origins are available, with the bovine origin grade dominating the volume market.
Common market grades include 90 percent and 95 percent purity by CPC (the cetylpyridinium chloride titration method), USP and EP pharmaceutical grades, low-molecular-weight Chondroitin Sulfate for improved absorption, and Chondroitin Sulfate Sodium specifically as the sodium-salt form. The CPC value is the industry-standard quality metric and must be specified on every purchase.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering CPC purity, specific rotation, sulfate content, protein content, heavy metals, and microbiology. TSE/BSE-free origin documentation is provided for bovine-derived material on request.
Introduction
Chondroitin Sulfate was first isolated from cartilage by Karl Krukenberg in 1884 and its structural role as a glycosaminoglycan in connective tissue was established through the twentieth century. The compound entered the joint-supplement market in the 1990s and reached mass-market positioning following the publication of the GAIT trial and related clinical studies on osteoarthritis.
Commercial production is by enzymatic and alkaline extraction from cartilage of bovine trachea, porcine snout, chicken keel, or shark fin, followed by deproteinisation, sulfate-content adjustment, and spray drying. Synthetic and fermentation routes exist but remain commercially marginal.
Recognised as a permitted food and supplement ingredient by the U.S. FDA, EFSA, and the relevant authorities in China and Japan. Listed in USP and EP pharmacopoeias for pharmaceutical applications.
The principal commercial driver is the combination with glucosamine in joint-health supplements. While individual clinical studies have produced mixed results, the combination remains the dominant joint formula in retail supplements globally, with the U.S., EU, China, and Japan all supporting substantial markets.
The CPC value, measured by cetylpyridinium chloride titration of the sulfated polysaccharide content, is the industry standard quality metric. Premium grades specify CPC at 95 percent minimum; mass-market grades typically run at 90 percent minimum. The titration is straightforward and is the primary specification line on every COA.
Where it is used
- Joint-health supplements for osteoarthritis and cartilage support; the dominant retail application
- Combination glucosamine-chondroitin formulations; the industry standard joint formula
- Sports nutrition products for joint and connective-tissue support
- Veterinary joint supplements for dogs, cats, and horses
- Eye-care supplements; chondroitin is a natural component of the cornea
- Topical wound-care and cosmetic formulations
- Medical-device lubricants and ophthalmic surgical aids (pharmaceutical-grade)
- Anti-aging skin-care and connective-tissue support products
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
| Purity (CPC method, dry basis) | ≥ 90.0% (customisable to ≥ 95.0%) |
| Specific rotation | −20° to −30° |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 10.0% |
| Sulfate content | 17% to 22% |
| Protein content | ≤ 6.0% |
| pH (1% solution) | 5.5 to 7.5 |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 20 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤ 2 mg/kg |
| Microbiology | Total plate count ≤ 1,000 CFU/g; absence of Salmonella and E. coli |
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