monosodium glutamate

noun Chemistry.

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

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 4Also called: sodium glutamate Abbreviation: MSG

n.

1. A white odorless crystalline compound that is a salt of glutamic acid; it is used as a flavor enhancer in foods, an application that may cause Chinese restaurant syndrome in sensitive people, and used intravenously as an adjunct in treating encephalopathies associated with liver disease.

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.