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Amino acids and derivatives

L-Glutamic acid

Also known as Glutamic acid, (2S)-2-Aminopentanedioic acid, L-glutamate

CAS 56-86-0Formula C5H9NO4Molar mass 147.13 g/molEC 200-293-7
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Corrosive 217 suppliers listed Drug substance
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L-Glutamic acid chemical structure, C5H9NO4, CAS 56-86-0
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Orthorhombic plates from dilute alcohol
Melting point
213 °C
Boiling point
175 °C
Density
1.538 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Solubility
In water, 8570 mg/L at 25 °C
HS code
292242
Category
Amino acids and derivatives
Illustrative photo, assorted laboratory chemical bottles and jars on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is L-Glutamic acid?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

L-glutamic acid is an optically active form of glutamic acid having L-configuration. It has a role as a ferroptosis inducer, a neurotransmitter, a micronutrient, a nutraceutical, a mouse metabolite and an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a L-alpha-amino acid, a glutamic acid, a glutamine family amino acid and a proteinogenic amino acid. It is a conjugate acid of a L-glutamate(1-). It is an enantiomer of a D-glutamic acid.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(2S)-2-aminopentanedioic acid
CAS number
56-86-0 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 617-65-2, 6899-05-4
EC number
200-293-7
Molecular formula
C5H9NO4
UNII
3KX376GY7L
MDL number
MFCD00002634
INCI name
GLUTAMIC ACID
InChIKey
WHUUTDBJXJRKMK-VKHMYHEASA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C5H9NO4/c6-3(5(9)10)1-2-4(7)8/h3H,1-2,6H2,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)/t3-/m0/s1
Canonical SMILES
NC(CCC(=O)O)C(=O)O
Isomeric SMILES
C(CC(=O)O)[C@@H](C(=O)O)N

Synonyms

  • Glutamic acid
  • (2S)-2-Aminopentanedioic acid
  • L-glutamate
  • (S)-2-Aminopentanedioic acid
  • Glutamidex
  • Glutaton
  • L-Glutaminic acid
  • Aciglut
  • Glutaminol
  • glutacid
  • Glutamicol
  • (S)-Glutamic acid
  • glutaminic acid
  • L-glu
  • L-(+)-glutamic acid
  • Glutamic acid, L-
  • Acido glutamico
  • Acide glutamique
  • alpha-aminoglutaric acid
  • Acidum glutamicum
  • (S)-(+)-Glutamic acid
  • L-alpha-Aminoglutaric acid
  • Acidum glutaminicum
  • glut
  • L-2-Aminoglutaric acid
Show all 38 synonyms
  • 1-Aminopropane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid
  • alpha-Glutamic acid
  • 2-Aminoglutaric acid
  • aminoglutaric acid
  • L-2-amino-pentanedioic acid
  • INS NO.620
  • 1-amino-propane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid
  • l glutamic acid
  • Glutamate, L
  • Glutamic acid, L
  • L-Glutamate, Aluminum
  • Stemega anti hair loss gel
  • (2S)-2-azaniumyl-5-hydroxy-5-oxopentanoate

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Orthorhombic plates from dilute alcoholexp.
Odour
Odorlessexp.
Taste
Umami sour tasteexp.
Melting point
213 °Cexp.
Boiling point
175 °Cexp.
Density
1.538 g/cm³ at 20 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 8570 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
1.7 × 10⁻⁸ mm Hg at 25 °C /Extrapolated from liquid-phase temperatures to a solid at 25 °C/exp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
147.13 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
147.0532 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-0.74calc.
Topological polar surface area
100.6 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
3calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
3calc.
Rotatable bonds
4calc.
Heavy atoms
10calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.6calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
1calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS05: Corrosive
Corrosive

Hazard statements

  • H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
  • H318Causes serious eye damage.
Precautionary statements (14)
  • P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301 + P330 + P331If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting.
  • P302 + P361 + P354If on skin: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

L-Glutamic acid suppliers

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All 217 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

217 suppliers in 26 countries

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L-Glutamic acid price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Gastric medicines, infusion solutions/diagnostic aids, raw material (peptide drugs).

Nutritional supplement. Hydrochloride as gastric acidifier.

Veterinary medication:.

Use classes: Food additives, Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name GLUTAMIC ACID(antistatic, hair conditioning, humectant)

Roles

  • Escherichia coli metabolite
  • animal metabolite
  • bacterial metabolite
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • ferroptosis inducer
  • food component
  • mammalian metabolite
  • metabolite
  • micronutrient
  • molecular messenger
  • mouse metabolite
  • neurotransmitter
  • nutraceutical
  • nutrient
  • pharmaceutical
  • physiological role
  • prokaryotic metabolite

Functional uses

  • Anti-static agent
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Humectant
  • Softener and conditioner
  • pH regulating agent

Cosmetic functions

  • Antistatic
  • Hair conditioning
  • Humectant

Pharmacology

Glutamic Acid is a non-essential alpha-amino acid and excitatory neurotransmitter. Glutamic acid can serve as a precursor for the synthesis of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

How it is made

By hydrolysis of gluten (wheat, corn or other vegetable sources), by fermentation from glucose-containing raw materials, the racemic acid may be resolved into the d- and l-isomer by fractional crystallization, from 2-cyclopentenylamine, by microbial conversion of alpha-ketoglutaric acid, or by an alternative method, using Bacillus megatherium-cereus, from fumaric acid, using Bacillus pumilus, from starch.

The first industrial production process was an extraction method in which vegetable proteins were treated with hydrochloric acid to disrupt peptide bonds.

Read more

L-Glutamic acid hydrochloride was then isolated from this material and purified as MSG. Initial production of MSG was limited because of the technical drawbacks of this method. Better methods did not emerge until the 1950s. One of these was direct chemical synthesis, which was used from 1962 to 1973. In this procedure, acrylonitrile was the starting material, and optical resolution of DL-glutamic acid was achieved by preferential crystallization. In 1956 a direct fermentation method to produce glutamate was introduced. The advantages of the fermentation method (eg, reduction of production costs and environmental load) were large enough to cause all glutamate manufacturers to shift to fermentation. Today, total world production of MSG by fermentation is estimated to be 2 million tons/y (2 billion kg/y). However, future production growth will likely require further innovation.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels
  • Food additive

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code L-Glutamic acid is traded under.

HS 2922.42Exact HS code

Glutamic acid and its salts

World exports in 2024
$1.87B
+2.2% vs 2023, imports $1.84B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China54.8%
  2. Thailand10.0%
  3. Indonesia8.5%
Top importers
  1. Japan9.7%
  2. Indonesia7.7%
  3. Vietnam * partner reported7.3%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for L-Glutamic acid is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about L-Glutamic acid, based on the data on this page

What is L-Glutamic acid?

L-glutamic acid is an optically active form of glutamic acid having L-configuration. It has a role as a ferroptosis inducer, a neurotransmitter, a micronutrient, a nutraceutical, a mouse metabolite and an Escherichia coli metabolite.

What is the CAS number of L-Glutamic acid?

The CAS registry number of L-Glutamic acid is 56-86-0. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 617-65-2, 6899-05-4.

What is the molecular formula and weight of L-Glutamic acid?

The molecular formula of L-Glutamic acid is C5H9NO4 and its molar mass is 147.13 g/mol.

What is L-Glutamic acid used for?

Gastric medicines, infusion solutions/diagnostic aids, raw material (peptide drugs). Nutritional supplement. Hydrochloride as gastric acidifier. Veterinary medication:. Use classes: Food additives, Cosmetics.

Is L-Glutamic acid hazardous?

L-Glutamic acid carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: causes severe skin burns and eye damage, causes serious eye damage. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of L-Glutamic acid?

L-Glutamic acid is usually classified under HS code 292242 (Glutamic acid and its salts). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy L-Glutamic acid?

CompoundList lists 217 suppliers of L-Glutamic acid in China, United States, India, Canada and 22 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy L-Glutamic acid in India?

24 suppliers in India list L-Glutamic acid on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of L-Glutamic acid?

Suppliers quote L-Glutamic acid on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle L-Glutamic acid

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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