Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer)
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color)
E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer)
E101 (Riboflavin / Vitamin B2) is an authorized yellow food colorant and essential micronutrient produced via microbial fermentation of Ashbya gossypii. INS 101(i), ADI is 0.5 mg/kg bw/day, commonly used to fortify cereals and color sauces.
Monosodium Glutamate (E621, MSG, C5H8NO4Na) is the sodium salt of L-glutamic acid produced via Corynebacterium glutamicum sugar fermentation, activating human T1R1/T1R3 heterodimer umami taste receptors to enhance savory mouthfeel.
Specification Comparison Table
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Functional Class
|
Food Color (Yellow-Orange), Nutrient Fortificant | Flavor Enhancer (Umami savory tastant) |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
0.5 mg / kg body weight per day | 30 mg/kg body weight per day (EFSA 2017) / Not Specified (JECFA 1987) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
C17H20N4O6 | C₅H₈NO₄Na · H₂O (Sodium 2-aminopentanedioate monohydrate) |
|
E-Number Code
|
E101 | — |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 101(i) | — |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Yellow chromophore acting as precursor to flavin coenzymes (FAD/FMN) | — |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Fortified breakfast cereals, baby foods, pasta, dairy desserts, energy drinks | — |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan (Microbial fermentation), Halal, Kosher | — |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.450) | — |
|
INS / E-Number
|
— | INS 621 / E621 |
|
Taste Receptor Target
|
— | T1R1 + T1R3 G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) heterodimer + mGluR4 |
|
Sodium Content
|
— | 12.3% Sodium by weight (compared to 39.3% in standard table salt NaCl) |
|
Synergistic Umami Multiplication
|
— | 1:1 ratio with E627 (Disodium Guanylate) / E631 (Disodium Inosinate) increases umami perception up to 8-fold |
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