monosodium glutamate


nounChemistry.
  1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C5H8NNaO4⋅H2O, used to intensify the flavor of foods.

Origin of monosodium glutamate

1
First recorded in 1925–30
  • Also called MSG, sodium glutamate.

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How to use monosodium glutamate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for monosodium glutamate

monosodium glutamate

/ (ˌmɒnəʊˈsəʊdɪəm) /


noun
  1. a white crystalline substance, the sodium salt of glutamic acid, that has little flavour itself but enhances the flavour of proteins either by increasing the amount of saliva produced in the mouth or by stimulating the taste buds: used as a food additive, esp in Chinese foods. Formula: NaC 5 H 8 O 4: Also called: sodium glutamate Abbreviation: MSG

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for monosodium glutamate

monosodium glutamate

[ mŏn′ə-sōdē-əm glōōtə-māt′ ]


  1. A white, crystalline salt used to flavor food, especially in China and Japan. It occurs naturally in tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and seaweed. Chemical formula: C5H8NNaO4.

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