Description
Promecens Mushroom Chitosan Hydrochloride — Vegan, Water-Soluble Chitosan HCl for Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical & Cosmetic Formulation
Promecens Mushroom Chitosan Hydrochloride is a 98.5% pure, fully water-soluble chitosan salt derived exclusively from fungal (mushroom) chitin never from shellfish. For formulators, researchers, and procurement teams who need a non-animal, non-allergenic, and batch-consistent alternative to crustacean-sourced chitosan hydrochloride, Promecens delivers the same rapid dissolution, low viscosity, and high bioactivity that water-soluble chitosan is known for, without the seasonal supply variability or shellfish-allergen risk inherent to marine sourcing.
Manufactured under controlled fermentation and deacetylation conditions, Promecens Mushroom Chitosan Hydrochloride is supplied as an off-white to cream, free-flowing powder with a viscosity of just 1.3 cS ideal for applications where uniform dispersion, fast hydration, and minimal particle residue are critical. It is widely selected for dietary supplements, functional foods, cosmetic and personal care formulations, agricultural inputs, and laboratory/research use, including drug delivery and nanoparticle studies.
Why Mushroom-Sourced Chitosan Hydrochloride?
Most chitosan hydrochloride on the market is extracted from shrimp, crab, or lobster shell waste. While effective, marine sourcing carries three structural limitations: dependence on seasonal fishing yields, batch-to-batch variation driven by crustacean diet and species mix, and shellfish-allergen exposure risk that excludes the material from many vegan, halal, kosher, and hypoallergenic product lines.
Fungal biomass primarily cultivated mycelium offers a controlled, reproducible alternative. Because fungal cultivation happens in a closed, monitored bioprocess rather than a wild harvest, the resulting chitin (and the chitosan derived from it) shows tighter specification consistency batch after batch. This is the core reason mushroom chitosan hydrochloride is gaining share across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and premium cosmetic formulation versus its marine-derived counterpart.
- 100% vegan and non-animal — suitable for plant-based and allergen-free product claims
- No shellfish allergens — eliminates a major formulation liability for food, supplement, and cosmetic brands
- Consistent, reproducible specifications from a controlled fermentation source rather than seasonal wild harvest
- Comparable or superior degree of deacetylation versus marine chitosan, supporting strong cationic charge density and bioactivity
- Aligns with ESG and sustainable-sourcing procurement requirements increasingly required by pharma and CPG buyers
How Promecens Chitosan Hydrochloride Is Made
Production begins with chitin extracted from cultivated fungal biomass through a sequential demineralization, deproteinization, and purification process. The purified chitin is then deacetylated under controlled alkaline conditions to convert it into chitosan, increasing the proportion of free amine groups along the polymer backbone. Because the free amine groups in chitosan are only soluble in acidic conditions, the chitosan is reacted with hydrochloric acid to form a stable, water-soluble chitosan hydrochloride salt the form supplied as Promecens.
This HCl salt formation is what allows Promecens to dissolve readily across a broader pH range than free-base chitosan, which is only soluble below approximately pH 6. Every production batch is quality-tested for purity, solubility, and viscosity before release, and a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is issued for each lot to confirm conformance to specification.
Physicochemical Properties & Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method / Significance |
| Product Name | Promecens Mushroom Chitosan Hydrochloride | Fungal-origin water-soluble chitosan salt |
| Source | Cultivated fungal (mushroom) biomass | Non-animal, allergen-free origin |
| CAS No. | 70694-72-3 | Chitosan hydrochloride registry number |
| Appearance | Off-white to cream powder | Visual inspection |
| Purity | ≥ 98.5% | HPLC / titration |
| Viscosity (1% solution) | 1.3 cS (low viscosity) | Brookfield / capillary viscometer |
| Solubility | Readily soluble in water across broad pH range | Gravimetric solubility test |
| Degree of Deacetylation (DDA) | ≥ 95% (fungal-optimized) | Potentiometric titration / FTIR |
| Molecular Weight | Low-to-medium MW (formulation-grade) | Viscometric / GPC |
| Moisture / Loss on Drying | ≤ 10% | Karl Fischer / LOD oven method |
| Ash Content | ≤ 1.5% | Gravimetric ashing |
| pH (1% solution) | 4.0 – 6.0 | pH meter |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Microbial Limits | Meets USP/food-grade limits | Plate count / pathogen screening |
| Particle Size | 100% pass 80 mesh | Sieve analysis |
| Packaging | 25 g sample; 1 kg; bulk drums on request | See Packaging & Certifications section |
Promecens vs. Related Chitosan Derivatives
Choosing the right chitosan derivative depends on the charge profile, solubility range, and functional groups your application requires. The table below positions Promecens against the most commonly compared Chitosan Global products.
For a standard, non-fungal-optimized variant, see Chitosan Hydrochloride – Mushroom. For lower-molecular-weight applications such as rapid absorption and oral delivery research, see Chitosan Oligosaccharide Hydrochloride – Mushroom and Chitosan Oligosaccharide – Mushroom.
| Derivative | Charge Profile | Solubility Range | Best Fit Applications |
| Promecens Chitosan Hydrochloride (Mushroom) | Cationic (amine-based) | Water-soluble, broad pH | Supplements, functional foods, cosmetics, general formulation, research |
| Carboxymethyl Chitosan – Mushroom | Amphoteric/anionic | Water-soluble across wide pH | Hydrogels, wound care, controlled-release matrices |
| Trimethyl Chitosan – Mushroom | Permanently cationic (quaternized) | Water-soluble, pH-independent | Oral drug delivery, mucoadhesive systems, absorption enhancement |
| Quaternary Chitosan – Mushroom | Permanently cationic | Water-soluble, pH-independent | Antimicrobial coatings, preservative systems, personal care |
| Chitosan Oligosaccharide – Mushroom | Cationic, low MW | Highly water-soluble | Rapid-absorption supplements, prebiotic/fiber applications |
For cationic mucoadhesive comparisons relevant to oral delivery, see our guide on Trimethyl Chitosan for Oral Delivery; for hydrogel-focused formulation, see Carboxymethyl Chitosan for Hydrogels; and for antimicrobial system design, see Quaternary Chitosan for Antimicrobial Systems.
Benefits of Promecens Mushroom Chitosan Hydrochloride
- Rapid, uniform dissolution in water — minimizes lumping and shortens mixing time in production
- Low viscosity (1.3 cS) keeps process equipment running efficiently at high concentration
- Vegan and non-allergenic — opens formulation into shellfish-free and plant-based product lines
- High purity (98.5%) supports pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic-grade applications
- Naturally cationic charge supports mucoadhesion, film formation, and antimicrobial activity
- Documented biodegradability and biocompatibility for sustainable, research-friendly use
- Batch-to-batch consistency from controlled fermentation sourcing, reducing reformulation risk
Applications by Industry
Pharmaceutical & Drug Delivery Research
Water-soluble chitosan hydrochloride is widely studied as a carrier in drug delivery systems, supporting mucoadhesive and controlled-release formulations. Its solubility profile also makes it suitable for nanoparticle formulation research, where consistent molecular weight and low ash content are essential for reproducible particle size distribution.
Nutraceutical & Functional Food
As a fat-binding dietary fiber ingredient, mushroom chitosan hydrochloride is used in weight-management and digestive-health supplement formulations, and its allergen-free profile makes it suitable for vegan and shellfish-free supplement lines.
Cosmetics & Personal Care
In skin and hair care, Promecens functions as a film-forming agent, moisturizer, and natural preservative booster. See our broader resource on chitosan in cosmetics for formulation guidance and dosage ranges.
Agricultural Formulations
Used as a natural plant elicitor and biopesticide carrier, mushroom-sourced chitosan hydrochloride supports organic and sustainable crop protection programs where animal-derived inputs must be avoided.
Industrial & Research Use
Laboratories and industrial formulators rely on Promecens for its consistent specification sheet and documented CoA. Explore our water-soluble chitosan supplier overview, food-grade chitosan supplier page, and industrial chitosan manufacturer page for grade-specific sourcing, plus our chitosan in food industry guide for functional food use cases.
Quality Control, Certifications & Documentation
- Every production lot is tested for purity, solubility, viscosity, moisture, ash, heavy metals, and microbial limits before release
- Certificate of Analysis (CoA) provided for every batch, request your CoA directly via the button on this page
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) available on request for procurement and EH&S documentation
- Manufactured under quality systems aligned with food-grade and pharmaceutical raw-material handling standards
- Full batch traceability from fungal biomass source through final packaging
Packaging & Ordering Options
| Option | Details |
| Sample | 25 g sample, free shipping ideal for formulation trials and lab evaluation |
| Small Batch | 1 kg unit (+15% tariff where applicable, +$60 FedEx shipping) |
| Bulk | Bulk packs available, contact steve@chitosanglobal.com for volume pricing and lead times |
| International | Worldwide shipping available. contact us before ordering for rates and delivery options outside the USA |
Why Choose Chitosan Global
Chitosan Global is a specialized chitosan derivatives supplier sourcing and producing high-performance chitosan and chitosan salts from fungal, insect, and shellfish origins. Our fungal-sourced materials are selected for batch consistency and full specification transparency every lot ships with a CoA, and MSDS documentation is available on request. Our team works directly with pharmaceutical formulators, nutraceutical manufacturers, cosmetic chemists, and university research groups to match the right chitosan grade to the application, from sample-scale trials to bulk production volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Promecens Mushroom Chitosan Hydrochloride?
Promecens is a 98.5% pure, water-soluble chitosan hydrochloride salt produced from fungal (mushroom) chitin rather than shellfish, offering a vegan and non-allergenic alternative to marine-sourced chitosan HCl.
Is mushroom chitosan hydrochloride vegan?
Yes. Because it is derived entirely from cultivated fungal biomass rather than crustacean shells, mushroom chitosan hydrochloride contains no animal or shellfish material and is suitable for vegan formulations.
How is chitosan hydrochloride different from regular chitosan?
Regular (free-base) chitosan is only soluble in acidic conditions below roughly pH 6. Reacting chitosan with hydrochloric acid converts it into a stable salt — chitosan hydrochloride — that dissolves readily in water across a broader pH range.
What is the CAS number for chitosan hydrochloride?
Chitosan hydrochloride is recognized under CAS No. 70694-72-3.
What is the degree of deacetylation (DDA) of Promecens?
Promecens is manufactured to a degree of deacetylation of ≥95%, supporting strong cationic charge density and bioactivity.
What is the viscosity of Promecens Chitosan Hydrochloride?
Promecens has a low viscosity of approximately 1.3 cS in a 1% solution, allowing easy handling and uniform dispersion in formulation.
Is mushroom-sourced chitosan as effective as shellfish-sourced chitosan?
Yes. Fungal-sourced chitosan offers comparable or higher degrees of deacetylation and bioactivity, with the added benefit of tighter batch-to-batch consistency due to controlled fermentation sourcing.
What industries use Promecens Chitosan Hydrochloride?
Promecens is used in pharmaceutical research, nutraceuticals, functional foods, cosmetics and personal care, agricultural formulations, and industrial/laboratory research.
Can Promecens be used in drug delivery research?
Yes. Water-soluble chitosan hydrochloride is widely studied as a carrier material in mucoadhesive, controlled-release, and nanoparticle drug delivery formulations.
Is Promecens suitable for nanoparticle formulation?
Yes. Its controlled molecular weight, low ash content, and high solubility make it suitable for nanoparticle synthesis research where reproducibility is critical.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
A 25 g sample is available with free shipping. A 1 kg unit and bulk pack options are also available; contact steve@chitosanglobal.com for bulk pricing.
Do you provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA)?
Yes. Every production batch is tested and issued a CoA, available on request via the “Get COA” button on this page.
Is an MSDS/SDS available?
Yes. A Material Safety Data Sheet is available on request for procurement and EH&S documentation purposes.
How should Promecens Chitosan Hydrochloride be stored?
Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and moisture, in tightly sealed packaging to preserve solubility and purity.
Does Chitosan Global ship internationally?
Yes. We ship worldwide. Contact us before placing an order outside the USA for current shipping rates and delivery timelines.
What is the difference between Promecens and standard mushroom Chitosan Hydrochloride?
Promecens is formulated to a tighter purity and viscosity specification optimized for sensitive pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications, while our standard mushroom Chitosan Hydrochloride grade serves broader industrial and agricultural use.
Can chitosan hydrochloride be used in food products?
Yes, subject to applicable regulatory limits in your market; it is used as a natural preservative, stabilizer, and dietary fiber additive in functional foods and supplements.
Is fungal chitosan hydrochloride allergen-free?
Yes. Because it is not derived from shellfish, fungal-sourced chitosan hydrochloride eliminates shellfish-allergen risk, which is important for hypoallergenic and allergen-declared product lines.
How does molecular weight affect performance?
Lower molecular weight grades tend to be more water-soluble and suited to drug delivery and food additive applications, while higher molecular weight grades are better suited to film-forming and gel applications.
How do I request a custom specification or bulk quote?
Contact our team directly at steve@chitosanglobal.com with your target application, required specification ranges, and volume needs for a custom quote.
Request Your Sample, COA, or Bulk Quote
Ready to evaluate Promecens Mushroom Chitosan Hydrochloride in your formulation or research program? Request a free 25 g sample, download the Certificate of Analysis, or contact our team directly at steve@chitosanglobal.com for bulk pricing, custom specifications, and international shipping options. Our technical team is ready to help you select the right chitosan derivative Promecens or any product across our chitosan derivatives supplier line for your exact application.
