What additive is sodium glutamate? Is it harmful? The difference between monosodium glutamate and sodium glutamate
MSG and Sodium Glutamate: The Truth About Seasoning
Is MSG a chemical additive?
The original MSG was purified by hydrolysis of protein. Modern industrial production uses a certain type of bacteria that specializes in secreting glutamic acid to ferment. The raw materials for fermentation can be starch, beet, sugar cane, and even waste molasses, which greatly reduces the production cost. This process is similar to the production of wine, vinegar, and soy sauce. There are no "chemical raw materials" used in the production process. If wine, vinegar, and soy sauce are considered "natural products", MSG should also be classified as natural products. If fermentation and purification are industrial processes, and it is regarded as a "chemical product", then at least Baijiu should also be classified as a "chemical product".
What is sodium glutamate?
In fact, it is the salt formed by glutamic acid and sodium. Glutamic acid is an amino acid that is ubiquitous in living things. The human body can produce it itself and is the "messenger" between human brains and nerves. Sodium, an essential element for the human body, is known to those who have eaten salt. The combination of these two substances can make people feel umami.
Is sodium glutamate harmful?
Harmless. Glutamic acid is one of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins and is widely found in living organisms. However, glutamic acid bound to proteins does not affect the taste. Only free glutamic acid will assume the state of glutamic acid salt, resulting in a "fresh" taste.
| Parameter name | Parameter value |
|---|---|
| sodium glutamate content | At least 80% or more (high purity MSG requires more than 99%) |
Is MSG harmful?
The main component of MSG is a substance called sodium glutamate, which is designated as a "flavor enhancer" in our country's food additive use standards. Usually people say that MSG is "toxic", but in fact they think that sodium glutamate is "toxic".
Is sodium glutamate a food additive?
The statement is different. Although sodium glutamate can be equivalent to monosodium glutamate, from an academic point of view, sodium glutamate belongs to a kind of food additive. And if MSG is not a food additive, MSG is just a seasoning.
Are food additives really harmful?
The editor reminds that any food additive cannot be used in excess. It has strict standard dosages. As long as it is used within the scope allowed by the state, food additives are basically harmless. However, if excessive use of food additives can have certain effects on the reproductive system of the human body.
Effect of sodium glutamate
Glutamic acid is one of the basic amino acids for nitrogen metabolism in biological organisms and is of great significance in metabolism. It is used as a medicine to treat hepatic coma, and can also be used to produce monosodium glutamate, food additives, flavors, and biochemical research.
The difference between monosodium glutamate and sodium glutamate
- MSG is composed of sodium glutamate.
- 99% MSG is just a form of MSG. Although the MSG in this place is also called MSG, this MSG is not the same thing as the MSG mentioned at the beginning.
- Sodium glutamate, a food additive, is no problem.
- Sodium glutamate and pure MSG are basically the same thing, but when you think about it, there is a process involved.
- When we are confused about the difference between MSG and sodium glutamate, we often confuse the concept. MSG is a food, and sodium glutamate is an additive.
- MSG is a condiment that can be directly targeted at consumers, but consumers cannot directly purchase sodium glutamate; sodium glutamate is a food additive that is targeted at product factories, but factories can also purchase MSG! Although the literal meaning is the same, the meaning expressed inside is different.
