

|
Item
|
Standard Value
|
Relevant Certification
|
|---|---|---|
|
Assay (Purity)
|
≥99.5%
|
USP, EP, FCC, GB 1886.235-2016
|
|
Moisture
|
≤1.0%
|
E330, SGS Test
|
|
Heavy Metals (Pb)
|
≤0.5 mg/kg
|
ISO 9001, Kosher, Halal
|
|
Sulfate
|
≤150 mg/kg
|
USP, EP
|
|
Chloride
|
≤50 mg/kg
|
FCC, GB 1886.235-2016
|
|
Property
|
Citric Acid Anhydrous
|
Citric Acid Monohydrate
|
|---|---|---|
|
Water Content
|
≤1.0% (low hygroscopicity)
|
≤8.8% (high hygroscopicity)
|
|
Purity
|
≥99.5% (High Purity Citric Acid Anhydrous)
|
≥99.0%
|
|
Best For
|
Dry mixes, tablets, high-heat processes, export
|
Liquid solutions, general use
|
|
Export Stability
|
Excellent (resists caking during shipping)
|
Good (requires moisture control)
|
|
Shelf Life
|
2–3 years
|
1–2 years
|

Modern MSG production is dominated by microbial fermentation (over 90% globally), a highly efficient, food-safe process that converts starch or sugar into high-purity monosodium glutamate (≥99%) under strict ISO, GMP, and HACCP controls. This method ensures consistent quality, compliance with international food safety standards, and alignment with global market demands.
Core Production Process
MSG production follows a standardized, four-stage workflow optimized for yield and purity:
Raw Material Preparation
Primary feedstocks are corn starch (82% of global use), tapioca, or molasses. Starch is mixed with water (1:3 ratio) to form a 30–35% slurry, then liquefied with α-amylase at 80–100°C for 30–60 minutes. The resulting dextrin is saccharified with glucoamylase at 55–60°C for 12–24 hours to produce glucose, the primary carbon source for fermentation.
Fermentation
Glucose is fed into bioreactors with Corynebacterium glutamicum, a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) bacterium. Under controlled conditions (30–34°C, pH 7.0–7.4, dissolved oxygen >30%), the bacteria convert glucose into L-glutamic acid over 36–48 hours. Leading producers achieve sugar-to-acid conversion rates of 58–64.5%, near the theoretical maximum of 62%.
Extraction & Purification
Fermentation broth is filtered to remove biomass. Glutamic acid is isolated via isoelectric point crystallization (pH 3.2), centrifuged, and washed. It is then neutralized with food-grade sodium hydroxide to form MSG solution, which undergoes activated carbon decolorization and ion-exchange filtration to remove impurities.
Crystallization, Drying & Packaging
Purified MSG solution is concentrated and crystallized. Crystals are dried to a moisture content ≤0.5% (per GB 2720-2015) and milled to 20–80 mesh. Final products are tested for purity, heavy metals, and microbial load before packaging under ISO 22000 conditions.
Industry Standards & Certifications
MSG production adheres to rigorous global and national standards to ensure safety and quality:
ISO 22000: Food safety management system integrating HACCP and GMP, mandatory for global food ingredient supply chains.
ISO 5498:1981: International method for MSG purity analysis, ensuring ≥99% L-glutamate monosodium content.
GB 2720-2015 (China): Mandatory standard defining MSG classification, sensory properties, and heavy metal limits (e.g., lead ≤1 mg/kg).
GB/T 8967-2007: Specifies technical parameters including moisture, pH, and particle size.
SGS/FDA/HALAL/KOSHER: Third-party certifications verifying compliance with global regulatory and religious requirements.
Global Production Landscape
Asia accounts for 94% of global MSG capacity, with China as the largest producer (78% of 2024 output, ~2.75 million metric tons). Top manufacturers (Fufeng Group, Meihua Bio-tech) control 65% of global capacity, leveraging advanced fermentation and automation to reduce energy use by 28% over the past decade. High-purity (≥99%) and compound MSG (with I+G) now represent 38.6% of the market, driven by food industry demand for clean-label, high-performance flavor enhancers.
Quality Control & Sustainability
Modern plants implement real-time monitoring of fermentation parameters, with SGS-certified labs testing every batch for purity, contaminants, and compliance. Sustainable practices include wastewater treatment, energy recovery, and strain optimization via CRISPR-Cas9 to reduce byproducts by 40%.
FAQ
Is MSG production natural?
Yes — modern MSG is made via microbial fermentation, similar to yogurt or wine, using natural raw materials and food-safe bacteria.
What purity levels are standard for food-grade MSG?
Food-grade MSG must contain ≥99% monosodium glutamate (per ISO 5498 and GB 2720-2015), with moisture ≤0.5%.
What certifications are required for global MSG trade?
Key certifications include ISO 22000, HACCP, FDA, HALAL, KOSHER, and SGS testing reports to meet import regulations.
How long is the full MSG production cycle?
The complete process — from raw material to packaged product — takes 4–5 days, with fermentation accounting for 36–48 hours.
Is MSG production environmentally sustainable?
Leading facilities use closed-loop systems, energy recovery, and low-waste fermentation, cutting unit energy consumption by approximately 28% in the past decade.
If you want to know more about MSG, please contact us at GNF. We will be more than happy to serve you.

|
Food Category
|
Typical Max Usage (g/kg as sorbic acid)
|
|---|---|
|
Fruit & carbonated drinks
|
≤ 0.2
|
|
Cheese & yogurt
|
0.05 – 0.1
|
|
Bread & cakes
|
0.05 – 0.1
|
|
Sausages & meat products
|
0.075 – 1.5
|
|
Sauces, vinegar & soy sauce
|
≤ 1.0
|
|
Pickles & candied fruits
|
0.1 – 0.5
|

|
Item
|
Standard Value
|
|---|---|
|
Appearance
|
Colorless transparent liquid
|
|
Assay
|
≥99.8%
|
|
Color (Pt-Co)
|
≤10
|
|
Moisture
|
≤0.1%
|
|
Acidity
|
≤0.01%
|
|
Heavy Metals (Pb)
|
≤1mg/kg
|
|
Refractive Index (20℃)
|
1.431–1.433
|

|
Application Field
|
Regulatory Standard
|
Typical Usage Limit
|
|---|---|---|
|
Carbonated Drinks
|
GB 2760-2014, ISO 15043
|
≤0.2 g/kg
|
|
Soy Sauce & Vinegar
|
GB 2760-2014, JECFA
|
≤1.0 g/kg
|
|
Jams
|
GB 2760-2014, ISO 15043
|
≤1.0 g/kg
|
|
Preserved Fruits
|
GB 2760-2014, JECFA
|
≤0.5 g/kg
|
If you want to know more about Sodium Benzoate , please contact us at GNF. We will be more than happy to serve you.


|
Application Field
|
Key Standards
|
Certification Requirements
|
|
Food
|
National Food Safety Standard for Food Additives - Stearic Acid, ISO 6324.2-2003
|
Food-grade certification, JECFA safety approval, SGS certification
|

Carrageenan can be used as an emulsifier, stabilizer and thickener. Its core role in meat products is to enhance water retention, stabilize structure, optimize texture and increase yield. It is suitable for various products such as meat paste, ham and restructured meat.
I. Core Functions
Water Retention and Weight Gain: It binds with myosin to lock in moisture, increase the yield of cooked products, and reduce water loss.
Stabilizing Texture: It improves the elasticity, toughness, and sliceability of meat products, preventing the structure from becoming loose and dry.
Optimizing Emulsification: It stabilizes fat globules, making it suitable for low-fat meat pastes and simulating a juicy texture.
II. Selection and Dosage (Percentage of Finished Product)
Western Ham (Injection Type): κ type, 0.2% - 0.5%, high water retention, no water loss.
Sausages / Meatballs (Chopping Type): κ type (crispness) / ι type (elasticity), 0.1% - 0.6%, emulsion stability, tender and elastic texture.
Reconstituted Steak: κ + locust bean gum / konjac gum, 0.2% - 0.4%, remains firm after freezing and thawing.
III. Key Practical Points
Dissolution: Dissolve in hot water above 70°C; it is difficult to dissolve in cold water. Pre-mix dry powder to prevent clumping.
Process: Maintain low temperature throughout the injection / chopping process (raw materials ≤ 4°C, chopping ≤ 10°C), and avoid acidic environments with pH < 4.0.
Blending: κ + konjac gum (3:7) is suitable for high-temperature sterilization; κ + xanthan gum + guar gum to prevent needle clogging.
IV. Precautions
Excessive use may lead to water loss and a coarse texture. Adjust according to the process.
Strictly follow the regulations of GB 2760-2024 for compliance and keep records of raw materials.
