Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - A Food Additive

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) also known as glutamic acid is a non essential amino acid used as a flavor enhancer worldwide. MSG is found naturally in tomatoes, grapes, cheese, mushrooms and other foods. It is one of the most widely used food additive in commercial foods. Monosodium glutamate is believed to be associated with different health problems viz., obesity, asthma, metabolic disorders, Chinese restaurant syndrome, neurotoxic effects and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs. Literature showed MSG was associated with adverse side-effects particularly in animals including induction of obesity, diabetes, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic and genotoxic effects. Literature showed that increased consumption of monosodium glutamate may be associated with harmful health effects. Further Intensive research is required to explore monosodium glutamate–related molecular and metabolic mechanisms.