Glutamic acid is synthesized from a number of amino acids, and when an amino group is added to glutamic acid, it forms the important amino acid glutamine. Glutamic acid is one of the two amino acids that have a net negative charge (by pH), making it a very polar molecule. Glutamic acid has been linked to epileptic seizures, is a neurotransmitter, is important in the metabolism of sugars and fats, and aids transporting potassium into the spinal fluid. Glutamic acid is present in a wide variety of foods and is responsible for one of the five basic tastes of the human sense of taste (umami). Glutamic acid is often used as a food additive and flavor enhancer in the form of its sodium salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG).
| Micromole per liter | µmol/L = mcmol/L = umol/L = µM/L = mcM/L = uM/L = micromol/L |
| Milligram per liter | mg/L = millig/L = milligram/L = mg/liter |
| Milligram per deciliter | mg/dL = millig/dL = milligram/dL |
| Milligram per 100 milliliters | mg/100mL = millig/100mL = milligram/100mL |
| Milligram percent | mg% = millig% = milligram% |
| Microgram per milliliter | µg/mL = mcg/mL = ug/mL = microg/mL = microgram/mL |