Monosodium glutamate

Synonyms

Accent; Accent (food additive); Ajinomoto; Ancoma; Chinese seasoning; Glutacyl; Glutamat sodny [Czech]; Glutamate Sodium [JAN]; Glutamate monosodium salt; Glutamic acid, L-, sodium salt; Glutamic acid, monosodium salt; Glutammato monosodico [Italian]; Glutavene; L-Sodium glutamate; L-Glutamic acid, sodium salt (VAN); MSG; Monosodioglutammato [Italian]; Monosodium L-glutamate; Natrium L-hydrogenglutamat; Natriumglutaminat [German]; RL-50; Sodium L-glutamate (VAN); Sodium glutamate (VAN); Sodium hydrogen glutamate; Vetsin; Zest; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Other Nitrogen Compounds

Description

White solid; [Merck Index] Fine colorless crystals; MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

A naturally occurring amino acid; Used as a flavor enhancer, swine feed additive, and additive to improve taste of bitter drugs; Used therapeutically to reduce blood ammonia levels; [HSDB]

Comments

Causes "Chinese restaurant syndrome" in susceptible individuals after ingestion of large amounts; Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, chest pain, flushing, shuddering (children), and rarely, bronchospasm. The condition is self-limiting within a few hours and occurs in 1-2% of Americans. [Ford, p. 945] Reproductive toxicity when injected into pregnant rodents, but no evidence of effects at low doses as a food additive; [REPROTOX] May cause irritation; [MSDSonline]

Biomedical References

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Feed Additives)