What is Monosodium Glutamate?
Introduction
Eating is something that comes to us naturally. We eat when were happy, hungry, sad ,angry, or when we are craving for something satisfying. We love to taste the flavours of different foods. For example eating your favourite ice cream while watching TV and savouring the taste in your mouth because it’s just that good. Also enjoying grilled chicken with fried rice, eating stir-fried vegetables with soy sauce. All of these amazing flavours result in hours of inventing and preparation. In all of these food glutamate is a major reason for the taste and flavours we love.
Scientific name: Monosodium glutamate
Chemical formula: C5H8NNaO4
Number of atoms: 5 atoms of carbon, 8 atoms of hydrogen, 1 atom of nitrogen, 1 atom of sodium and 4 atoms of sodium
What is MSG?
MSG, also known as Monosodium glutamate, is a tiny white substance that is taken from seaweed and is used to enhance food flavours. When added to food it provides a taste similar to glutamate which is already found in foods. It contains amino acid glutamate, sodium and water. Amino acid glutamate is the building blocks of protein and glutamate is one of the most popular amino acids. Foods that might contain glutamate are meat, fish, and vegetables. Even humans contain glutamate naturally which is important for our metabolism system and brain function . MSG has no odor and has the texture of salt.
Chemical/Physical Properties
MSG is a tiny white crystalized powder that is odorless and has a unique taste. It kind of resembles the texture of salt. MSG has a melting point of 225°C and is soluble in water. It doesn't breakdown when cooking like other acids. It has a molecular mass of 169.
What's the Deal with Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Eating is something that comes to us naturally. We eat when were happy, hungry, sad ,angry, or when we are craving for something satisfying. We love to taste the flavours of different foods. For example eating your favourite ice cream while watching TV and savouring the taste in your mouth because it’s just that good. Also enjoying grilled chicken with fried rice, eating stir-fried vegetables with soy sauce. All of these amazing flavours result in hours of inventing and preparation. In all of these food glutamate is a major reason for the taste and flavours we love.
Scientific name: Monosodium glutamate
Chemical formula: C5H8NNaO4
Number of atoms: 5 atoms of carbon, 8 atoms of hydrogen, 1 atom of nitrogen, 1 atom of sodium and 4 atoms of sodium
What is MSG?
MSG, also known as Monosodium glutamate, is a tiny white substance that is taken from seaweed and is used to enhance food flavours. When added to food it provides a taste similar to glutamate which is already found in foods. It contains amino acid glutamate, sodium and water. Amino acid glutamate is the building blocks of protein and glutamate is one of the most popular amino acids. Foods that might contain glutamate are meat, fish, and vegetables. Even humans contain glutamate naturally which is important for our metabolism system and brain function . MSG has no odor and has the texture of salt.
Chemical/Physical Properties
MSG is a tiny white crystalized powder that is odorless and has a unique taste. It kind of resembles the texture of salt. MSG has a melting point of 225°C and is soluble in water. It doesn't breakdown when cooking like other acids. It has a molecular mass of 169.
What's the Deal with Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Other Common Names
- Monosodium glutamate
- Sodium 2-aminopentanedioate
- Glutamic acid, monosodium salt, monohydrate
- L-Glutamic acid, monosodium salt, monohydrate
- L-Monosodium glutamate monohydrate
- Monosodium L-glutamate monohydrate
- MSG monohydrate
- Sodium glutamate monohydrate