Glucosamine Identity Test Gains Patent

SAN ANSELMO, Calif.The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted a patent to Ethical Naturals Inc. (ENI) for its vegetable glucosamine testing method. The test identifies markers that differentiate between shellfish and vegetable-based glucosamine using the Isotopic Signature Carbon Tracing Method (ISCTM). Establishing this method can benefit those who are allergic to shellfish, vegetarians and individuals who do not consume shellfish for religious reasons.   

Purified glucosamine, whether from a shellfish or vegetable base, appears identical when using typical High-Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis," said Lora Xiong, MS, ENI director of research and development and quality control, who developed the newly patented process. The uses of both products are essentially the same, however, for many people there is a vital difference between the two materials."

ENI said  this analytical testing method is significant from a commercial standpoint because shellfish glucosamine is generally more readily available, cheaper to produce and can easily be substituted for a value-added vegetable material.  

ENI developed GreenGrown® vegetable glucosamine, and uses this testing method to comply with label claims for proper ingredient sources. The company filed the patent in 2008.