Glucosamine sulfate calcium chloride composition and processes for the preparation of glucosamine sulfate metal chlorides

Abstract

Glucosamine compositions comprising the compounds glucosamine sulfate metal chloride, wherein the metal, i.e., the cation is potassium, sodium, magnesium, lithium, calcium, zinc or manganese. The compounds have purity levels of at least about 97%, with water present in a maximum amount of about 10 wt. %, based on the weight of the composition. The compounds are prepared by contacting glucosamine hydrochloride with a hydroxide of the metal in the presence of water to form a first aqueous solution of the free glucosamine base and a chloride of the metal, acidifying the first aqueous solution with sulfuric acid to form a second aqueous solution of glucosamine sulfate and the chloride of the metal, and thereafter freeze-drying the second aqueous solution at a temperature and at a reduced pressure for such period of time that at least about 90 wt. % of the water is removed and decomposition of the compound glucosamine sulfate metal chloride is limited to a maximum of about 3%.

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