Glutamate is an acidic amino acid. The molecule contains two carboxyl groups, the chemical name is α-aminoglutaric acid. Glutamate was discovered in 1856 by Risson. It is a colorless crystal with a umami taste, slightly soluble in water, and soluble in hydrochloric acid solution with an isoelectric point of 3.22. It is abundant in cereal proteins and has a high content in animal brain. Glutamate plays an important role in the metabolism of proteins in living organisms and participates in many important chemical reactions in animals, plants and microorganisms. MSG contains a small amount of glutamic acid.

Functions of Glutamic acid

Medically, glutamate is mainly used to treat hepatic coma, and it is also used to improve children's mental development. In the food industry, MSG is a commonly used food preservative, and its main component is sodium glutamate. In the past, the production of MSG was mainly carried out by wheat gluten (gluten) hydrolysis, and it was now converted to microbial fermentation for large-scale production.
L-glutamic acid is mainly used in the production of monosodium glutamate, spices, as well as salt substitutes, nutritional supplements and biochemical reagents. L-glutamic acid itself can be used as a drug, involved in the metabolism of proteins and sugars in the brain, and promotes the oxidation process. The product combines with ammonia to form non-toxic glutamine in the body, which reduces blood ammonia and alleviates hepatic coma.
Glutamate is the world's largest producer of amino acids and can be used as a nutraceutical for skin and hair. It is used in hair growth agents, can be absorbed by the scalp, prevent hair loss and regenerate hair, has nutritional functions on hair nipples and hair cells, and can dilate blood vessels, enhance blood circulation, and has anti-hair loss effect. It is used on the skin and is effective in treating wrinkles.