N-acetyl D-Glucosamine is a monosaccharide. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are aldehyde or ketone compounds with multiple hydroxyl groups. The term carbohydrate is applied to a large number of relatively heterogeneous compounds which are found in all the animals and plants. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, are the most abundant bio-molecules on the earth. Carbohydrates are also called as saccharides. Other than this, carbohydrates are polyhydroxylated compounds with at least three carbon atoms; they are having potentially active carbonyl groups which are either aldehyde or ketone groups. This is the reason that we write n-acetyl Glucosamine. Carbohydrates are present in many food items. Many vegetables and fruits are also rich in carbohydrates. Potatoes are very rich in carbohydrates. The readily available form of carbohydrate is glucose. Body fulfills its need of n-acetyl glucosamine from the food we eat.
N-acetylglucosamine is an enzyme which is naturally present in the human body. The function of the N-acetylglucosamine is seen in the immune response and in the neurological system. N-acetylglucosamine is a monosaccharide and is necessary for the proper functioning of the cell during cellular communication.
N-acetylglucosamine is also known as GlaNAc. GlaNAc is a monosaccharide derived from glucose. It is a very important monosaccharide because it is used in many biological systems in the human body. N-acetylglucosamine is also a very important neurotransmitter which is needed in the pain pathways specifically. In the absence of N-acetylglucosamine the body is unable to function properly. N-acetylglucosamine was discovered in 1984. It was found to be the key ingredient in glycoproteins. Glycoproteins are used in the formation of the cell membrane.
Glycoproteins are also very essential for the proper cell functioning. Glycoproteins help in the cellular communication.N-acetylglucosamine is important because it is used for the formation of the glycoproteins. If the body is deficient in glycoproteins, the individual may suffer from certain health problems.All the sweet food products have some extent of carbohydrates in them. Sugar or glucose is the simplest form of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the greatest source of energy for us. Amount of carbohydrates in the human diet is more than any other biological molecule. It is abundantly present in the human body. Monosaccharides are the sugar molecules which cannot be further hydrolyzed. Monosaccharides normally have an aldehyde or ketone group attached to it. These monosaccharides have white crystalline structure and are readily soluble in water.
The monosaccharides have a sweet taste. The simplest form of sugar molecules is called as monosaccharides. Mostly, these Monosaccharides combine in a repeated manner to form di-saccharides and polysaccharides. Polysaccharides and di-saccharides are having more complex structure. Glucose is the best example of monosaccharides. N-acetylglucosamine is formed with the help of acetic acid and Glucosamine. N-acetylglucosamine is found in many biological processes, which are occurring in the human body. One of the main functions of N-acteyl glucosamine is that when it is polymerized with glucuronic acid it forms hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is essential for the proper functioning of the human body. In other words, one can say that N- acetylglucosamine is an acetylated derivative of the amino sugar. Here aminos sugar refers to glucosamine. N-acetyl glucosamine is found extensively in the exoskeleton of marine species. So, it can be extracted from the marine species. Glucosamine’s importance is known by the presence of it in the glycoproteins and glycolipids.
Glucosamine is essential for the synthesis of the mucopolysaccharide, glycoproteins and glycolipids. Glucosamine is one of the carbohydrate which is present in the tendons.In the human body, the glucosamine is required for the synthesis of cartilages, ligaments, blood vessels and few structures of the eye. Biological research found that glucosamine is an active compound in the heparin. Heparin is a chemical used as an anticoagulant; anticoagulants are extensively used in the physiological laboratories. N-acetylglucosamine is also found to be attached to the inner membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. These monosaccharides are assembled in the body for making glycans. Glycans term is used for poly or oligosaccharides. In the human body the N-acetylglucosamine is used for the synthesis of chondrocytes. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine keeps a great affinity for WGA. These both when combined, may stimulate the activation of the body’s T-cells. The T-cells are part of the immune system and also form the white blood cells.