- Monosodium glutamate
- C₅H₈NO₄Na
| Atomic Number/Type | Amount |
| 6 – Carbon (C) | 5 |
| 1- Hydrogen (H) | 8 |
| 7 – Nitrogen (N) | 1 |
| 8 – Oxygen (O) | 4 |
| 11 – Sodium (Na) | 1 |
- It is an Ionic compound because Sodium donates one electron to the other elements and does not share. It also has a high boiling point and conducts electricity. When Sodium ionically (by donating an electron) connects with a covalently-bonded compound known as glutamic acid, MSG starts to form a bond.
5.
6. Mostly found in foods like burgers, chips, processed meat, sauces and canned vegetables.
7. MSG is naturally occurring in foods like cheese and tomatoes.
8. The melting point of MSG is 232 degrees celsius.
9. The boiling point of MSG is 333.8 degrees celsius.
10. The density of MSG is 1.62g/cm^3.
11. MSG is solid at room temperature.
12. Yes, MSG is a good conductor.
13. Yes, MSG dissolves pretty well in water.
14. 4 other interesting properties of MSG:
- MSG is used in foods to give them meat-like taste.
- MSG’s molar mass is 187.12 grams/mole.
- MSG is odourless.
- When MSG is cooled below -8 degrees celsius, it crystallizes as a pentahydrate.
15. Other than occurring in natural foods and being put in foods by humans, MSG is not abundant in the earth’s crust, the ocean, and the atmosphere
16. MSG was first discovered by Chemist Ikeda Kikunae in 1908 when he analyzed soup stocks that were made from seaweed, he found that they contained high amounts of MSG.
17. 4 uses of MSG:
- Used in soups and canned vegetables.
- Used in meats and poultry.
- Used in gravies and spices.
- Used in dipping sauces and chips.
18. Work cited:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate
- https://byjus.com/chemistry/monosodium-glutamate/
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Monosodium-glutamate
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/monosodium-glutamate/faq-20058196