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E621
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Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG)Flavour enhancers
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Foodditive is a community site and iPhone application providing comprehensive information on E-numbered food additives. There are hundreds of food additives which may be used to improve the colourAdded to change or intensify colour in food., flavourA natural or artificial compound used to give food a particular taste or smell., texture, or storage life of food.
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Description
Monosodium glutamate is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, which is a natural essential amino acidAmino acids are essential to nutrition and they are building blocks of protein. They have a variety of roles in metabolism, and may be naturally occurring or biosynthesized.. Glutamic acid is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is present in all complete proteins. Monosodium glutamate has the ability to make bland and tasteless foods taste wonderful. It is very cheap and easy to produce and is present in a wide variety of foods. Commercially it is prepared by yeast or bacterial fermentationThe chemical breakdown of a substance by yeasts, bacteria or other microorganisms. using Brevibacterium, Arthrobacter, Microbacterium and Corynebacterium of molasses, starch, sugar beets, and sugar cane. It can also be prepared from vegetable protein. It is essentially an odourlessThe lack of any smell., white crystal or crystalline powder that is slightly soluble in water, and commercially used as a flavour enhancerA natural or artificial compound used to enhance a foods existing flavour. in foods. About 1.5 million metric tons are sold each year and this number is rising.
Common Uses
Used in processed cheese, fat spreads, fat-based desserts, processed fruit, dried vegetables, canned or bottled vegetables, cooked or fried vegetables, breakfast cereals, pre-cooked pastas, batters, bakery wares, processed meat and poultry, semi-preserved fish and fish products, egg-based desserts, seasonings and condiments, soups and broths.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information on this website is a guide only and not intended as medical advice. Any dietary health concerns or queries you may have should be discussed with a duly registered Dietician or Physician. The information or data contained in this website has been prepared by the Foodditive team and every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate, however Foodditive accepts no liability for any act or omission, done or omitted in reliance, in whole or part, on the information or data being accurate. Please read our full terms & conditions for more information.
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