glutamic acid

American  

[gloo-tam-ik] / gluˈtæm ɪk /

Also glutaminic acid

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an amino acid, HOOCCH 2 CH 2 CH(NH2 )COOH, obtained by hydrolysis from wheat gluten and sugar-beet residues, used commercially chiefly in the form of its sodium salt to intensify the flavor of meat or other food. Glu; E

---

glutamic acid British  

/ ˌɡluːtəˈmɪnɪk, ɡluːˈtæmɪk /

noun

1. a nonessential amino acid, occurring in proteins, that acts as a neurotransmitter and plays a part in nitrogen metabolism

---

glutamic acid Scientific  

/ glo̅o̅-tăm′ĭk /

1. A nonessential amino acid. Chemical formula: C ₅ H ₉ NO ₄ .

2. See more at amino acid

---

Etymology

Origin of glutamic acid

First recorded in 1870–75; glut(en) + amic ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does glutamic-acid compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• glutamate vs. glutamic acid

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

glutamic acid

In the study, UAA was found to code for lysine and UAG for glutamic acid.

From Science Daily ● May 7, 2026

It’s one of the few sources of aspartic acid, which, along with glutamic acid, is responsible for the vegetable’s savory, umami flavor.

From Salon ● May 14, 2025

Specifically, the amino acid glutamic acid is substituted by valine in the β chain.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Removal of CaMBD enables increased activity of the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase, which catalyzes the decarboxylation of glutamate to GABA, thus raising levels of the molecule.

From Scientific American ● Dec. 24, 2021

Its real turbo boost comes from yeast extract and rice starch, which form a veritable glutamic acid tag team.

From Slate ● Jul. 3, 2018