Antimicrobial Activity of Food Grade Glucosamine

Being naturally derived from the cellular glucose metabolism, glucosamine is present in the hyaluronic acid present in the synovial fluid and also the fluids that help in lubrication of the cartilage in the joint cavities. This monomer, derived from the shell-fish waste or shell-fish chitosan by hydrolysis, it is widely accepted as a dietary supplement by FDA with its increasing commercial potential as a nutraceutical in many countries including USA, European countries and etc. Present in variable commercial food grade forms like glucosamine hydrochloride, glucosamine sulphate, N-acetyl glucosamine, etc. this amino-sugar is reported to be an effective oral supplement. The purpose of the current study is to assess the antimicrobial activity of glucosamine. The study takes into account the effect of antimicrobial activity at variable concentrations of glucosamine to evaluate the range at which glucosamine is able to exhibit its antimicrobial properties. Food grade glucosamine was dissolved in acetic acid at variable concentrations range with stock solution being 1mg/mL. The antimicrobial activity was assessed against four different bacterial strains namely Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Disc diffusion assay was used to test the antimicrobial properties wherein it allows preliminary screening of antimicrobial agents and has been used for wide range of microbes. This study was able to demonstrate a new angle of this dietary supplement wherein it is able to provide resistance against particular microbes. The result of the study shows that glucosamine possess antimicrobial properties and can be further researched upon as a potential antimicrobial agent.