Sodium inosinate (E631): effect on the human body

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 16:12

Sodium inosinate occurs naturally in the meat of animals and fish. It has an umami flavor, which is why it is used in the food industry. Sodium inosinate as a flavor enhancer is found in products under the symbol E631. It has no negative effects on the body and is not harmful even for pregnant women.

What is E361 made of?

Sodium inosinate is the sodium s alt of inosic acid. Particle molecular formula: C₁₀H₁₁N₂Na₂ O_8P.

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 found in tRNA, which means it is involved in the replication of genetic material and the formation of new cells.

Inosine is also involved inproduction 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.

Sodium inosinate in its pure form is colorless crystals or odorless white powder, highly soluble in water.

It is often used as a flavor enhancer along with monosodium glutamate. Their combination in a 50:50 ratio 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. It is most commonly obtained from these sources for industrial use. It is also possible to produce inosinate by fermenting tapioca starch, a process used by several manufacturers. Most prepared foods with added sodium inosinate are non-vegetarian. However, if this tapioca supplement is used, the packaging will most likely indicate that the product is for vegetarians.

Use in products as flavor enhancer

Sodium inosate, like guanylate, adenylate and glutamate, is a natural substance found in the human body. Like everything mentioned, it tastes like umami, one of the five basic tastes. It can be described as "broth" or "meat". It leaves a lasting impression of greasy on the tongue. The umami taste comes from the discovery of the carboxylic anion of glutamine inspecialized receptor cells present on human tongues. Some foods have intense umami flavors (eg Parmesan cheese, very ripe tomatoes) that owe their presence to a large amount of these free compounds.

Inosinate in food contains:

• anchovy paste (300mg/100g),
• sardines (193mg/100g),
• mackerel (215mg/100g),
• tuna (286mg/100g),
• salmon (154 m /100 g),
• cod (44mg/100g),
• shrimp (92mg/100g),
• chicken (201mg/100g),
• pork (200mg/100g),
• beef (70mg/100g).

E631 content in food products

As mentioned, sodium inosinate is a food additive used as a flavor enhancer. It can be found on food packaging under the symbol E631.

Sodium inosate E631 added to:

• powder sauces,
• loose spices,
• soy sauce,
• food concentrates,
• meat cuts and canned meats,
• low-s alt foods.

Most often it is added to food in combination with disodium guanylate or monosodium glutamate. Its role is to add umami flavor or enhance the flavor 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, -completely safe to use. The effect on the body of sodium inosinate is harmless.

For the above reason, its safe dosage has not been determined either. In addition, according to analyzes, the average daily intake of inosinate, guanylate and adenylate as a dietary supplement is 500 times lower than the intake 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 those suffering from gout should take a limited amount of it. However, in their case, this restriction applies to all meat products. Inosine disodium during pregnancy can be consumed without problems.

According to ESPGAN (European Society of Gastroenterology and Child Nutrition), a complex supplement containing E631 is useful in the nutrition of premature babies. Newborns gain weight faster, they have psychomotor functions, intestinal problems are eliminated (colic, flatulence).

Sodium inosine has been shown to have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, hematopoiesis and liver function.

But this does not mean that you will improve your he alth by consuming sausages and french fries often with this dietary supplement. Its amount in this type of food is small enough to get any benefit from E631.

This dietary supplement is easily absorbed by the body and only a small amount is excreted by the kidneys.

The flavor enhancer is non-allergic, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic.

Consumption in largethe amount of dietary supplement E631 very rarely causes side effects from the gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea (constipation in children), other ailments of the digestive tract. Consumption of products with it should be limited to people suffering from kidney disease.

Manufacturers of flavor enhancer E 631

GIORD (St. Petersburg) is a well-known company in Russia that produces the Glirinat complex flavor enhancer with the addition of E631.

On the global market, manufacturers of flavor enhancers with disodium inosinate are:

• Wenda (China).
• BRENNTAG GmbH (Germany).
• Ajinomoto (Japan).

When using the E631 additive in cooking, it can perfectly replace s alt, give food a special taste and aroma. When products with disodium inosinate are heated, it loses its properties. Experienced cooks add food additives only at the end of the heat treatment of dishes.

Remember, however, that E631 is very often added to low quality products, because as a rule, any flavor enhancer must mask its insufficient quality.

Now you know what sodium inosinate is, is E631 harmful or not for people.