Glucosamine is an
amino sugar and a prominent precursor in the
biochemical synthesis of
glycosylated proteins and lipids. Glucosamine is part of the structure of the
polysaccharides chitosan and
chitin, which compose the exoskeletons of
crustaceans and other
arthropods, cell walls in
fungi and many higher organisms. Glucosamine is one of the most abundant
monosaccharides.
It is produced commercially by the
hydrolysis of crustacean
exoskeletons or, less commonly by fermentation of a grain such as corn or wheat.
In the US it is one of the most common non-vitamin, non-mineral,
dietary supplements used by adults.