Disodium guanylate

Disodium guanylate
Identifiers
CAS number 5550-12-9 Y
PubChem 21712
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula C10H12N5Na2O8P
Molar mass 407.18 g mol−1
 Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Disodium guanylate, also known as sodium 5'-guanylate and disodium 5'-guanylate, is a natural disodium salt of the flavor enhancer guanosine monophosphate (GMP). Disodium guanylate is a food additive with the E number E627.[1] It is commonly used in conjunction with glutamic acid (monosodium glutamate, MSG).

As it is a fairly expensive additive, it is not used independently of glutamic acid; if disodium guanylate is present in a list of ingredients but MSG does not appear to be, it is likely that glutamic acid is provided as part of another ingredient such as a processed soy protein complex. It is often added to foods in conjunction with disodium inosinate; the combination is known as disodium 5'-ribonucleotides.

Disodium guanylate is produced from dried fish or dried seaweed and is often added to instant noodles, potato chips and other snacks, savoury rice, tinned vegetables, cured meats, and packaged soup.

Nutritional Information

Disodium guanylate is not safe for babies under twelve weeks, and should generally be avoided by asthmatics and people with gout, as guanylates are metabolized to purines. However, the typical amounts found in food are generally too low to produce significant side effects.[1] Since it is often produced from fish,[1] vegans and vegetarians may wish to avoid it unless the product is specifically labeled as vegan or vegetarian. Such labels require the use of non-animal derived sources, such as seaweed or yeast.

See also

References