MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid. It is recognized for stimulating the umami taste, one of the five basic tastes alongside sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. Naturally found in foods like tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms, glutamate plays a crucial role in flavor enhancement. Commercially, MSG is synthesized through fermentation processes involving starch, sugar beets, or sugar cane.
There are several advantages associated with the use of Vegetable Emulsifier 481 in food production