Glucosagreen® – The Technology
GlucosaGreen® is the world’s first commercially available glucosamine produced by a revolutionary, patented, direct-fermentation, process technology. This extremely efficient technology effectively addresses the many challenges inherent to chitin-derived shellfish production:
- Raw material availabilty
- Consumer concerns over allergens
- Environmental pollution caused by the process of extracting chitin from shellfish
The direct fermentation manufacturing technology that supports GlucosaGreen® is revolutionary because it dramatically addresses and solves so many of the challenges inherent in shellfish-derived, chitin production processes. The GlucosaGreen® process is a totally transparent, fully traceable, cost-effective, and sustainably produced glucosamine for brands and, ultimately, the consumer.
Instead of using shellfish as the raw material, GlucosaGreen®’s starting material is glucose. The glucose is derived from an easily available vegetable source; non-GMO corn.
From here, there is a fermentation process and the technology very efficiently transforms glucose into glucosamine – GlucosaGreen®!
GlucosaGreen
Advantages of GlucosaGreen®
The key advantage of Glucosagreen® is that by utilizing this innovative technology, we are able to produce glucosamine to the same high-quality standard as shellfish glucosamine, but without damaging the environment. Manufacturing glucosamine from shellfish requires a huge amount of hazardous chemicals which in turn generates vast amounts of toxic wastewater.
GlucosaGreen® only generates 1 metric ton of wastewater to produce 1 metric ton of glucosamine HCl, or approximately only 0.2% of the amount of wastewater generated in the process of making shellfish-derived glucosamine.
When it comes to solid, landfill waste, GlucosaGreen® produces 2% of the amount of solid waste generated by shellfish derived glucosamine. These dramatic reductions of environmental impact truly make GlucosaGreen® a sustainably produced alternative to traditional glucosamine.
GlucosaGreen® is not dependent on a fragmented supply of crustacean shells or a limited quantity of citric acid biomass waste stream.
Some manufacturers use a citric biomass process for generating shellfish-free glucosamine. While this eliminates the need for shellfish as a raw material, it provides marginal improvement of water consumption and actually increases the solid waste generated.
GlucosaGreen® is available in many salt forms to meet a range of requirements
Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine Hydrochloride
N-Acetyl-D Glucosamine
GlucosaGreen® is also available in a selection of formats, including powders with an array of particle sizes, exclusive directly compressible granules for producing superior tablets, capsule grade for superior encapsulation, and other grades specifically for soft chews, a growing market for glucosamine for pets. We have the ability to create custom formulations as well as provide research, development, and pilot testing to address present and new challenges. Learn more.
GlucosaGreen®
Shellfish Glucosamine
Shellfish Glucosamine
Much of the global supply of glucosamine is derived from shellfish. However, this has many disadvantages and deep-rooted deficiencies.To produce 1MT of Glucosamine HCL, you need:
- 2,000kg of chitin (derived from shellfish)
- 5,000kg of NaOH (also known as sodium hydroxide or lye)
- 17,000kg of 30% HCl (hydrochloric acid)
This process generates 450 – 460 metric tons of wastewater with a PH of 5.5, COD of 8500mg/L. It is energy intensive, inefficient and is causing significant harm to our planet.
Citric Biomass / Aspergillus Niger Glucosamine
Another method used to produce glucosamine is to derive it from the biomass of aspergillus niger. This is a fungus that has an outer shell rich in chitin similar to what is found in crustacean shells. This has traditionally been used for people who are allergic to shellfish or who follow a vegan or kosher diet. However, it also has significant deficiencies and comes at a high cost to the environment.
GlucosaGreen®
GlucosaGreen® vs Traditional Glucosamine
Saves Water
Reduce Solid Waste
Produces Less Harmful Gases
Put it in perspective
Regulatory Compliance and Quality
Environmental Protection
Stricter environmental protection policies world-wide have impacted many industries, challenging smaller- and medium-sized factories having to keep up with the cost of compliance. The manufacture of glucosamine is typical example of the industries impacted by these trends, with small- and medium-sized factories continuing to shut down. While this focus on the environment is a positive step towards a more sustainable global future, it has the long-term effect of leaving many industries facing heavy price increases and uncertain, fragmented and unreliable supply chains. With GlucosaGreen® being derived from a readily available, vegetable source, and manufactured via environmentally-friendly methods, consumers and brand partners can be reassured of a stable, high-quality supply of glucosamine.
