Review

Monoammonium glutamate is a chemical compound, ammonium salt of glutamic acid. 

It appears as a white powder soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol or ether.

What it is used for and where

Food

Ingredient included in the list of European food additives as E624 as a flavour enhancer.

Safety

EFSA's Panel on Food Additives provided a scientific opinion reviewing the safety of glutamic acid-glutamates (E620-625) used as food additives.  The Panel assessed the suitability of human data to be used for the derivation of a health-based guidance value. Although human effects were identified, human data were not suitable due to the lack of dose-response data from which a no-effect dose could be identified. Based on the NOAEL of 3,200 mg MSG/kg bw per day from the neurodevelopmental toxicity study and applying the default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel calculated a group Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 30 mg/kg bw per day, expressed as glutamic acid, for glutamic acid and glutamates (E620-625). The Panel noted that exposure to glutamic acid and glutamates (E620-625) exceeded not only the proposed ADI, but also the doses associated with adverse effects in humans for some population groups (1).

• Molecular Formula  C₅H₁₂N₂O₄ · H₂O  
• Molecular Weight    182.18 g/mol  
• CAS  7558‐63‐6  anidro   139883‐82‐2  monoidrato
• UNII    245K560GAW
• EC Number 231‐447‐1

Synonyms:

• ammonium glutamate monohydrate
• monoammonium l‐glutamate monohydrate