Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (c. 231)

ANNEX U.K.

E 621 MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE U.K.

Synonyms	Sodium glutamate; MSG
Definition
Einecs	205-538-1
Chemical name	Monosodium L-glutamate monohydrate
Chemical formula	C5H8NaNO4 · H2O
Molecular weight	187,13
Assay	Content not less than 99,0 % and not more than 101,0 % on the anhydrous basis
Solubility	Freely soluble in water; practically insoluble in ethanol or ether
Description	White, practically odourless crystals or crystalline powder
Identification
Test for sodium	Passes test
Test for glutamic acid (by thin-layer chromatography)	Passes test
Specific rotation	[α]D20 between + 24,8° and + 25,3° (10 % solution (anhydrous basis) in 2N HCl, 200 mm tube)
pH	Between 6,7 and 7,2 (5 % solution)
Purity
Loss on drying	Not more than 0,5 % (98 °C, 5 hours)
Chloride	Not more than 0,2 %
Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid	Not more than 0,2 %
Lead	Not more than 1 mg/kg