How is MSG made?

Because fabricated free glutamate is MSG’s only active ingredient, the question of how MSG is made is really a question of how its free glutamate is fabricated. Prior to 1957, the free glutamate used in MSG was produced by extracting glutamate from a protein source. However, in 1957, Ajinomoto introduced use of genetically modified bacteria that excreted free glutamate through their cell walls for use in MSG. To that free glutamate, sodium and moisture were added to produce MSG.

The toxic potential of fabricated free glutamate is discussed elsewhere as are details of its characteristics.

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about MSG and manufactured free glutamate