As one of the important derivatives of D-glucose, Glucosamine (GlcN) is an amino monosaccharide with various biological activities. GlcN has functions such as enhancing immunity, antioxidation, and antibacterial effects, and it is particularly well known for its role in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This also gives GlcN broad application prospects in the fields of healthcare, food production, and cosmetics, with its global market size projected to exceed 10 billion USD by 2028. As demand grows, its efficient industrial production has been attracting increasing attention. Here, we systematically introduce the functions, raw material sources, metabolic pathways, detection methods, and applications of GlcN in various countries. Particularly, we delve into the strategies for high-yield biosynthesis of GlcN/GlcNAc using metabolically engineered microorganisms, with the highest reported titer reaching 179.7 g/L. This comprehensive overview aims to help readers gain a better understanding of GlcN and explore its potential commercial value and product applications.
Zhang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.