Abstract: A salt of a glucosamine base having a purity of at least about 99 wt. % and a maximum halide content of about 0.01 wt. %, and an organic acid. The organic acid that is saltified with the glucosamine base is preferably a hydroxyacid or a ketoacid. Preferably, the salt is stabilized by coating the salt with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable polymer comprising a water-soluble, water-immiscible and/or water-swellable homopolymer and/or copolymer. Suitable polymers include carboxypolymethylene homopolymers and copolymers; polyethylene glycol homopolymers and copolymers; polypropylene glycol homopolymers and copolymers; ethylcellulose; povidone homopolymers and copolymers; polyacrylic acid homopolymers and copolymers; polyacrylamide homopolymers and copolymers; polysaccharides; and mixtures of two or more of the foregoing polymers. The resultant coated salt composition will be stable at ambient temperatures and upon exposure to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A stabilized glucosamine base composition comprising a glucosamine base having a purity level of at least 99.0 wt. % and a maximum halide content of about 0.01 wt. % coated with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable polymer comprising a water-soluble, water-immiscible and/or water-swellable homopolymer and/or copolymer. The resultant coated glucosamine base composition will be stable at ambient temperatures and upon exposure to the atmosphere. Suitable polymers include carboxypolymethylene homopolymers and copolymers; polyethylene glycol homopolymers and copolymers; polypropylene glycol homopolymers and copolymers; ethylcellulose; povidone homopolymers and copolymers; polyacrylic acid homopolymers and copolymers; polyacrylamide homopolymers and copolymers; polysaccharides; and mixtures of two or more of the foregoing polymers.

Abstract: A glucosamine base having a pure level of at least about 99.0 wt. % and a maximum halide content of 0.01 wt. %. The pure glucosamine base is prepared by reacting a glucosamine halide, e.g., glucosamine hydrochloride, with a lithium base in the presence of a C1-C4 alcohol to thereby generate a C1-C4 alcohol solution of a lithium halide and an insoluble halide-free glucosamine base and thereafter separating the insoluble halide-free glucosamine base from the C1-C4 alcohol solution of the lithium halide. Preferably, the lithium base comprises anhydrous lithium hydroxide and the preferable alcohol comprises methanol.