Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) · High-Purity MSM for Joint, Mobility & Sports Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: methylsulfonylmethane; systematic name: dimethyl sulfone.
• Common abbreviations: MSM, methyl sulfonyl methane.
• Form: typically a white, crystalline powder, odourless or almost odourless, with a slightly bitter but generally neutral taste at use levels.
• Solubility: freely soluble in water and many polar solvents, with good dispersion in liquid concentrates, syrups and powder blends.
• Stability:
  • Highly stable under normal storage conditions in dry form,
  • Good stability in many beverage pH ranges and thermal processes, subject to application-specific validation.
• Function in formulations:
  • Acts as a source of organic sulphur in complex nutrition systems,
  • Frequently used in joint & mobility blends together with glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen and vitamins,
  • Supports active-lifestyle and sports recovery positioning when combined with proteins, amino acids and minerals under relevant regulations.
• Regulatory & safety context:
  • MSM is handled as a nutritional / functional ingredient whose allowed uses and maximum levels are country- and category-specific,
  • Any joint, mobility, anti-inflammatory or pain-related claims must follow local nutrition and health claim regulations and applicable safety opinions.

Atlas works with customers to integrate MSM into evidence-informed joint, mobility, sports and active-lifestyle concepts, aligning quality, dosage, format and labelling to support brand and regulatory requirements.

Indicative specification points

Detailed specifications are agreed per project and producer. Typical food/nutrition-grade MSM parameters include:

• Assay (MSM): generally ≥ 99.0% on dried basis.
• Appearance: white crystals or crystalline powder, free-flowing and free from visible foreign matter.
• Identification tests: confirm MSM structure using infrared spectroscopy, melting point and chemical reactions according to agreed methods.
• Melting point: within a defined range consistent with pure MSM.
• Loss on drying: controlled to ensure assay accuracy and flowability.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: low levels in line with high-purity organosulfur ingredients.
• Heavy metals & specific elements: limited in accordance with food and supplement standards.
• Residual solvents: kept within regulatory limits or at “not detected” levels depending on the process.
• Related substances & dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO): restricted and monitored according to specification.
• Microbiological profile: low counts suitable for supplements, functional foods, gummies and beverages.
• Particle size distribution & bulk density: grades available for tableting, encapsulation, powder blends and direct compression, with options for coarse or fine crystal sizes.

Each batch is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO status, allergen statements, dietary suitability such as vegetarian/vegan where applicable, contaminants and pesticide data, solvent declarations, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates) can be provided from approved MSM producers to support audits, registrations and regulatory submissions.

Joint & mobility formulations

• Joint health tablets & capsules – MSM is widely used in joint and mobility supplement blends together with glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, manganese and other co-factors.
• Active-aging & bone formulas – integrated into broader bone, cartilage and connective-tissue concepts with minerals (e.g. calcium, magnesium), vitamins (e.g. vitamin D, K) and proteins.
• Gummies & soft chews – MSM is incorporated into joint and mobility gummies, where dose per serving, flavour systems and texture must be carefully optimised.
• Powders & sachets – used in joint & mobility drink mixes for adults and active seniors, often combining collagen peptides, amino acids and vitamins.

Sports & active-lifestyle nutrition

• Recovery powders & RTM blends – MSM can be included in post-exercise recovery formulations with proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, electrolytes and vitamins for active consumers, where allowed.
• Performance & active-lifestyle capsules – combined with amino acids, omega-3s, vitamins and antioxidants to support complex performance and lifestyle concepts.
• RTD drinks & shots* – used in functional beverages and shots focusing on joint and mobility support, where MSM’s solubility and stability in water-based systems can be leveraged under validated pH and process conditions.

*Liquid applications must be checked against local regulations, targeted dose per serving and shelf-life/stability requirements.

Other nutrition & wellness products*

• Functional foods* – addition to nutrition bars, powdered drinks, fortified foods and specialised products where MSM use is permitted and compatible with processing.
• Pet & veterinary nutrition* – MSM is also used in companion animal joint products under feed regulations (typically using feed-grade MSM and separate specifications).

*These applications are subject to category-specific and market-specific regulations. Atlas can support ingredient-level documentation, while final product compliance remains the responsibility of the manufacturer.

Formulation guidance

• Typical use levels:
  • MSM dosage is defined by local regulations, safety assessments, intended claims and target consumer group,
  • Joint and mobility products often use defined daily intakes spread across several tablets/capsules or larger powder servings.
• Compatibility & interactions:
  • MSM is generally compatible with glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, amino acids, vitamins and minerals in dry blends, tablets and capsules,
  • In beverages, developers should validate any potential impact on flavour, clarity and long-term stability.
• Processing considerations:
  • Crystalline MSM typically exhibits good flow for tableting and encapsulation; particle size may be adjusted for specific compression or blending requirements.
  • In powders and sachets, attention to bulk density and particle size harmonisation helps minimise segregation and dusting.
  • For gummies, formulation teams must balance MSM loading, texture, sweetness and flavour masking.
• Sensory & flavour:
  • MSM has a slightly bitter taste at higher doses; flavour systems (e.g. citrus, berry, spice) and sweeteners can help build consumer-friendly profiles.
  • In beverages and powders, careful design of acidulant, sweetener and flavour combinations is recommended.
• Regulatory & labelling:
  • Manufacturers must confirm MSM’s permitted status and maximum levels for each product category and market,
  • Any joint, cartilage, pain, inflammation or flexibility claims must align with local nutrition and health claim legislation, including wording, target population and warnings,
  • Labels should clearly state MSM content per serving and may highlight combination with other joint and amino acid nutrients (e.g. glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen) based on formulation.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade MSM with agreed specifications for assay, impurities, particle size, residual solvents and microbiological quality.
• Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet describing key test parameters and analytical methods.
• Additional documentation can include GMO status, allergen declarations, dietary suitability (e.g. vegetarian/vegan where applicable), contaminants & pesticide data, solvent declarations, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates, depending on the selected producer and grade.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000); further certifications are available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum daily intakes, joint & health-related claims, warnings and labelling in each destination market and product category.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: typically 20–25 kg fibre drums or multi-wall paper bags with inner liners for moisture protection and clean handling. Alternative packaging (e.g. big bags) may be evaluated for large-volume customers.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other amino acids, joint-health ingredients, vitamins, proteins, minerals and functional components.
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from moisture, heat and strong odours to maintain assay, flowability and sensory neutrality.
• Typical shelf life is indicated on the product specification and COA; customers should validate MSM content, physical properties and sensory performance within their own formulations and shelf-life programs.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored offer, please share your intended applications (joint & mobility tablets/capsules, gummies, powders, drinks, active-aging or sports concepts, etc.), target MSM level per serving, combination ingredients (e.g. glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, amino acids, vitamins, minerals), preferred dosage forms, annual volume, packaging format, documentation/certification requirements (Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, specific solvent/contaminant thresholds, etc.) and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable MSM grades and system concepts for your projects.