Cargill has further solidified its position in the vegetarian glucosamine market after being granted another patent to protect the latest improvements to its shellfish-free joint health ingredient and production process.
Produced in Eddyville, Iowa, Cargill's Regenasure™ glucosamine is the only US-made, Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) glucosamine suitable for vegetarians and people with shellfish allergies. Entitled ‘Glucosamine And Method Of Making Glucosamine From Microbial Biomass’, the latest patent covers glucosamine derived from fungal biomass containing chitin plus various methods of producing it. The US patent 8,034,925 comes hot on the heels of patent 7,816,514, which was issued last September.
Outlining the benefits of veggie glucosamine in its patent application, Cargill said: “Presently, glucosamine is primarily derived from harvested natural sources, such as shellfish and other aquatic organisms. “A need exists for a source of safe, kosher, non-animal product derived, high-quality glucosamine compositions that can be created economically and with a minimum of environmental impact. Use of a fungal biomass results in high quality glucosamine compositions that are generally uniform with low levels of impurities.”
Prevention not cure
Cargill, which hosted a press event at the American Dietetic Association (ADA) annual conference featuring Dr Kristine Clark, director of sports nutrition at Penn State University, now believes glucosamine could be most effective if consumed before subjects start to exhibit signs of joint damage.
New research was therefore focusing on investigating the mechanisms that maintain joint health, with a particular focus on those that maintain cell and tissue homeostasis in the superficial zone or top layer of cartilage, said Cargill director of research Jennifer van de Ligt.
“We are now focusing our research on pre-disease states with a focus on the role glucosamine can play in preserving the health of the superficial zone of cartilage. We’re in the emerging field of healthy cartilage aging. This would be moving towards a ‘helps maintain cartilage health’ type claim. “There are recognized biomarkers of health in this zone."
Glucosamine, chondroitin and osteoarthritis
OsteoArthritis Research Society International says that some people with osteoarthritis of the knee may get symptomatic relief from glucosamine and chondroitin, said Dr Clark. “But there is not a lot of evidence it benefits other joints beyond the knee.” But these studies were all looking at patients experiencing joint pain or loss of mobility, she said.
“Now we think it might be better to consume glucosamine before you have symptoms, while the superficial zone is undisturbed.”
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