Shark-like chondroitin sulfate and process for the preparation thereof

The present invention concerns a shark-like chondroitin sulfate and a process for the prepn. thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a shark-like chondroitin sulfate having a very low amt. of 4-sulfate, a high charge d. and a biol. activity comparable to natural chondroitin sulfates. The invention also relates to a process for the prepn. of said shark-like chondroitin sulfate affording substantially higher productivities and better reproducibility of product quality. The shark-like chondroitin sulfate of the invention shows a high mol. mass and charge d. and in vitro biol. and anti-inflammatory effectiveness, comparable to the ones of natural products make this polysaccharide potentially useful as a drug in pharmaceutical prepns. and nutraceuticals. Chondroitin sulfate was obtained by the reaction of sodium chondroitin with sulfur trioxide pyridine complex