glucosamine

[ gloo-koh-suh-meen, -min ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. an aminosugar occurring in many polysaccharides of vertebrate tissue and also as the major component of chitin.

glucosamine

/ ɡluːˈkəʊzˈəmiːn /

noun

1. the amino derivative of glucose that occurs in chitin. It has been used in some herbal remedies

glucosamine

/ glo̅o̅-kō′sə-mēn′,glo̅o̅′kō- /

1. An amino derivative of glucose in which an amino group replaces a hydroxyl group. It is a component of many polysaccharides and is the basic structural unit of chitin. Glucosamine is used as an over-the-counter dietary supplement by some people with symptoms of arthritis. Chemical formula: C 6 H 13 NO 5 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of glucosamine¹

First recorded in 1880–85; glucose + -amine

Example Sentences

When hydrolysed these fungoid celluloses yield, in addition to monoses, glucosamine and acetic acid.

From Project Gutenberg