EFFECT OF MONO SODIUM GLUTAMATE ON HUMAN

A REVIEW
S.Sarveshwaran, Arivarasan, S.U. Badri narayanan
(2
nd
year, B.tech, Biotechnology, Jeppiaar Engineering College)
Abstract
Food additives are compounds usually added to the processed food for
preservation and to improve taste. Additives are of natural and synthetic. Almost all
the foods are now added with chemical additives. Chemical additives produce
adverse effect in biological system. Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) is one of the
chemical additives used worldwide (e number is E621). It is present in almost all
commercially prepared and packaged food. MSG is a sodium salt of glutamic acid, a
naturally occurring and non-essential amino acid. MSG has been used for more than
100 years to season food. Usage of MSG is very dangerous as it causes brain damage,
frequent headaches, Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's chorea. MSG is safe
when "eaten at customary levels"
MSG consumption can be avoided by using an alternatives. Fish sauce is
the best direct substitute. Mushroom stock or ground mushrooms can also used as
substitute for MSG. Aged cheeses, sea weeds, may also be used. It has been found
that red clover is able to block brain damage from MSG. Thus by substituting these
foods instead of MSG we can avoid health issues related to its consumption.