Monosodium Glutamate

C₅H₈NNaO₄

IUPAC: Sodium 2-aminopentanedioate

CAS: 142-47-2

Overview

MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, widely used as a flavor enhancer that imparts umami taste. It was first isolated from seaweed broth in 1908.

Composition

Element	Symbol	Atoms	Atomic Mass
Hydrogen	H	8	1.0080
Carbon	C	5	12.0110
Nitrogen	N	1	14.0070
Oxygen	O	4	15.9990
Sodium	Na	1	22.9900

Elemental Composition

Hydrogen ×8

4.8%

Carbon ×5

35.5%

Nitrogen ×1

8.3%

Oxygen ×4

37.8%

Sodium ×1

13.6%

Uses

• Flavor enhancer
• Food seasoning

Fun Facts

✦ Kikunae Ikeda identified umami as a basic taste in 1908 and patented MSG production

Structure

SMILES

C(CC(=O)[O-])C(C(=O)O)N.O.[Na+]

Properties

Type: salt
State: solid
Molar Mass: 169.11 g/mol
Density: 1.6200 g/cm³
Melting Point: 232.0 °C
Solubility: 740 g/L at 20°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass: 187.0457
TPSA: 104.0 Å²
H-Bond Donors: 3
H-Bond Acceptors: 6
Rotatable Bonds: 4
Heavy Atoms: 12
Complexity: 149.0

Related Compounds

Ammonium Bicarbonate

NH₄HCO₃

Ammonium Chloride

NH₄Cl

Ammonium Sulfate

(NH₄)₂SO₄

Barium Carbonate

BaCO₃

Barium Chloride

BaCl₂

Barium Sulfate

BaSO₄

Cadmium Sulfide

CdS

Calcium Acetate

Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO₃

Calcium Citrate

Ca₃(C₆H₅O₇)₂

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monosodium Glutamate?

Monosodium Glutamate (C₅H₈NNaO₄) is a salt compound with the IUPAC name Sodium 2-aminopentanedioate.

What is the molecular weight of Monosodium Glutamate?

Monosodium Glutamate has a molar mass of 169.11 g/mol.

What state is Monosodium Glutamate at room temperature?

Monosodium Glutamate is a solid at room temperature.

Is Monosodium Glutamate organic or inorganic?

Monosodium Glutamate is classified as an inorganic compound.

What elements make up Monosodium Glutamate?

Monosodium Glutamate (C₅H₈NNaO₄) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O), Sodium (Na).