Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener)
Comparing 2 standards across 15 specifications. 15 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer)
E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener)
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.
E950 (Acesulfame K / Ace-K) is a calorie-free, heat-stable synthetic potassium salt sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose. INS 950, ADI is 9 mg/kg bw/day, famous for blending with sucralose and aspartame to produce sugar-identical taste curves.
Specification Comparison Table
15 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Functional Class
|
Flavor Enhancer (Umami savory tastant) | Non-Nutritive High-Intensity Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
30 mg/kg body weight per day (EFSA 2017) / Not Specified (JECFA 1987) | 9 mg / kg body weight per day |
|
INS / E-Number
|
INS 621 / E621 | — |
|
Chemical Formula
|
C₅H₈NO₄Na · H₂O (Sodium 2-aminopentanedioate monohydrate) | — |
|
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 | — |
|
E-Number Code
|
— | E950 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
— | INS 950 |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 200x Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 0.0 kcal / g (Excreted unchanged by kidneys) kcal/g |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
— | High-affinity agonist for T1R2 + T1R3 sweet taste receptor dimer |
|
Common Target Foods
|
— | Diet sodas (Coke Zero), sugar-free energy drinks, baked goods, sugar-free chewing gum |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
— | 100% Vegan, Halal, Kosher, Diabetic Safe, Dental Safe (Non-cariogenic) |
|
Safety Approval
|
— | EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.800) |
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