Sodium inosinate is found naturally in animal and fish meat. He has a taste of "umami", thanks to which it is used in the food industry. Sodium inosinate as a flavor enhancer is found in products under the symbol E631. It does not adversely affect the body and is not harmful even to pregnant women.
What do E361 get from?
Sodium inosinate is the sodium salt of inosinic acid. Molecular formula of particles: C 10 H 11 N 2 Na 2 O 8 P.
Other names:
- sodium ribonucleotide;
- disodium inosinate.
The substance is an organic chemical compound of natural origin. It is used in the food industry as a flavor enhancer. It is a derivative of inosine, which is a purine nucleoside, while inosine is contained in tRNA, that is, it is involved in the replication of genetic material and the formation of new cells.
Inosine is also involved in the production of AMP, which is an energy carrier in the processes occurring in cells. Therefore, we are dealing with substances that play a very important role in the functioning of a living organism at the cellular level.
Pure sodium inosinate is a colorless crystal or odorless white powder, readily soluble in water.
It is often used as a flavor enhancer along with monosodium glutamate. A combination of 50:50 is known as sodium ribonucleotide. Unlike sodium guanylate, sodium inosinate has a less pronounced taste.
Disodium inosinate and vegetarianism
Inosine disodium is found in meat and fish of animals. Most often, for use in industry, it is obtained from these sources. It is also possible to produce inosinate by fermenting tapioca starch - a process used by several manufacturers. Most prepared foods with sodium inosinate are non-vegetarian. However, if you use this tapioca supplement, the packaging will most likely indicate that the product is for vegetarians.
Use in products as a flavor enhancer
Sodium inosate, like guanylate, adenylate and glutamate, is a natural substance in the human body. Like all of the above, it tastes with the minds - one of the five main tastes. It can be described as “broth” or “meat”. It leaves a lasting impression of fatness on the tongue. Taste by the minds arises as a result of the discovery of the carbonic anion of glutamine in specialized receptor cells present in human languages. Some foods have an intense umami flavor (such as parmesan cheese, very ripe tomatoes), which owe their presence to a large amount of these free compounds.
Inosinate in food contains:
- anchovy paste (300 mg / 100 g),
- sardines (193 mg / 100 g),
- mackerel (215 mg / 100 g),
- tuna (286 mg / 100 g),
- salmon (154 m / 100 g),
- cod (44 mg / 100 g),
- shrimp (92 mg / 100 g),
- chicken (201 mg / 100 g),
- pork (200 mg / 100 g),
- beef (70 mg / 100 g).
The content of E631 in food
As already mentioned, sodium inosinate is a food supplement used as a flavor enhancer. On food packaging it can be found under the symbol E631.
Sodium Inosate E631 is added to:
- powder sauces
- friable spices
- soy sauce,
- food concentrates
- cold cuts and canned meat,
- low salt foods.
Most often it is added to food in combination with disodium guanylate or monosodium glutamate. Its role is to give a taste to the minds or to enhance the taste of the product.
Sodium inosinate: effects on the human body
According to the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), disodium inosine - a substance commonly found in the cells of organisms that build DNA and RNA - is completely safe to use. The effect of sodium inosinate on the body is harmless.
For the above reason, its safe dosage has also not been determined. In addition, according to analyzes, the average daily intake of inosinate, guanilate and adenylate as a dietary supplement is 500 times lower than the consumption of these substances naturally present in food.
Due to the fact that disodium inosinate is a purine substance, people with high levels of uric acid and suffering from gout should take it in a limited amount. However, in their case, this restriction applies to all meat products. Inosine disodium during pregnancy can be used without problems.
According to ESPGAN (European Society of Gastroenterology and Nutrition for Children), a comprehensive supplement, including E631, is useful in the nutrition of premature babies. Newborns gain weight faster, they have psychomotor functions, intestinal problems are eliminated (colic, flatulence).
The beneficial effect of sodium inosine on lipid metabolism, blood formation and liver function has been proven.
But this does not mean that you will improve your health by often consuming sausages and french fries with this food supplement. Its amount in this type of food is small enough to get any benefit from E631.
This food supplement is easily absorbed by the body, and only a small amount is excreted by the kidneys.
The flavor enhancer does not cause an allergic reaction, is not toxic, does not have a carcinogenic effect.
The consumption of a large amount of food supplement E631 very rarely causes side effects from the gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea (constipation in children), other digestive tract ailments. Food intake with it should be limited to people with kidney disease.
Flavor Amplifier Manufacturers E 631
In Russia, the famous company producing a comprehensive flavor enhancer “Glirinat” with the addition of E631 is GIORD (St. Petersburg).
On the world market, manufacturers of taste enhancers with disodium inosinate are:
- Wenda (China).
- BRENNTAG GmbH (Germany).
- Ajinomoto (Japan).
When using the additive E631 in cooking, it can perfectly replace salt, give the food a special taste and aroma. When heated products with disodium inosinate, it loses its properties. Experienced chefs add a food supplement only at the end of the heat treatment of dishes.
Remember, however, that E631 is often added to low-quality products, because, as a rule, any flavor enhancer should mask its insufficient quality.
Now you know what sodium inosinate is, whether or not E631 is harmful to humans.