Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol)
Comparing 2 standards across 15 specifications. 15 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer)
E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol)
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.
E968 (Erythritol) is a four-carbon polyol produced by microbial fermentation of glucose by Moniliella pollinis. INS 968, ADI is Not Specified, delivering 70% the sweetness of sucrose with 0.0–0.2 kcal/g, zero GI, and 90% urinary excretion avoiding digestive distress.
Specification Comparison Table
15 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Functional Class
|
Flavor Enhancer (Umami savory tastant) | Non-Nutritive Bulk Sweetener, Flavor Enhancer, Humectant |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
30 mg/kg body weight per day (EFSA 2017) / Not Specified (JECFA 1987) | Not Specified (Highest digestive tolerance among all polyols: 0.66–0.80 g/kg bw) |
|
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
|
— | E968 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
— | INS 968 |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 70% Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 0.2 kcal / g (Legal EU/US: 0.0 kcal / g) kcal/g |
|
Glycemic Index (GI)
|
— | 0 (Zero effect on blood glucose or insulin levels) |
|
Common Target Foods
|
— | Keto baked goods, monk fruit/stevia blends (Swerve), zero-sugar confectionery |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
— | 100% Vegan (Yeast fermentation of corn glucose), Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO |
|
Safety Approval
|
— | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (GRN 76) |
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