Ethical Naturals Launches GreenGrown-GCS® Non-AnimalGlucosamine and Chondroitin
Fermentation-derived joint health blend expands formulation options for vegan and vegetarian consumers.
Redwood City, California (October 6, 2026) - Ethical Naturals Inc. (ENI) has introduced GreenGrown-GCS®, a non-animal blend of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate produced through fermentation from non-GMO sources. The new ingredient gives supplement manufacturers an alternative to animal-derived ingredients for joint health products serving vegan and vegetarian consumers.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been widely used together in joint health supplements for more than 25 years. Traditional sources include shellfish-derived glucosamine and bovine cartilage-derived chondroitin; these sources limit options for consumers seeking animal-free supplements.
ENI introduced GreenGrown® Glucosamine in 2009, using fermentation from a Non-GMO vegetable source. Since then, the ingredient has been widely used in stand-alone supplements and animal-free joint health formulas. Developing a complementary fermented chondroitin sulfate required additional years of work to achieve consistent quality and reliable commercial production.
GreenGrown-GCS® brings these two ingredients together in a proprietary blend of glucosamine HCl and high-purity chondroitin sulfate. The combination enables manufacturers to offer a familiar joint health formulation from non-animal sources, while addressing consumer interest in ingredient origins and
production methods.
To verify ingredient sources, ENI uses testing methods designed to distinguish fermentation-derived materials from animal-derived alternatives. GreenGrown® Glucosamine undergoes testing through ENI’s patented Isotopic Signature Carbon Tracing method to verify its vegetable origin. The chondroitin sulfate undergoes Enzymatic-HPLC testing for A-type chondroitin components, which are characteristic of animal-source materials and absent or present at very low levels in fermentation-derived chondroitin.
GreenGrown-GCS® is available in bulk for formulation and in finished veggie capsules. For specifications and additional product information, visit https://ethicalnaturals.com/products-manufacturing-services/greengrown-gcs-vegetable-source-glucosamine-and-chondroitin/
About Ethical Naturals
Since 2005 Ethical Naturals (ENI) has been a key supplier of standardized and proprietary botanical ingredients to
the US and international supplement markets. ENI’s distribution, testing laboratory and finished product
manufacturing operations are all cGMP certified by NSF, and the company operates out of their solar powered
facility in Redwood City, California.
