What is monosodium glutamate?

Ajinomoto

Monosodium glutamate is a fabricated creation produced in food processing and/or chemical plants. Its essential ingredient, free glutamic acid (free glutamate), is produced by extracting glutamate from a protein source, or by allowing carefully selected genetically modified bacteria to secrete free glutamate through their cell walls. No matter how produced, it is composed of L-glutamate, D-glutamate, pyroglutamate, additional impurities, and sodium.

The L-glutamate used in monosodium glutamate is a patented product.

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