How Glutamic Acid Supports Biological Processes and Health
The structure of living beings is one of the most complex things. The acids formed in the body, the functioning of the organs, the changes in the body, and many other processes make this thing complex. But science has made everything known to everyone. Among all acids produced in the human body, one is Glutamic Acid. It is an amino acid that is produced in the body of all living beings. The work of glutamic acid is to produce proteins in the body. With this article, we have covered up all the knowledge about glutamic acid.
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Details about Glutamic Acid Production
In all living beings, the production of glutamic acid takes place. It is an alpha-amino acid that helps in the biosynthesis of proteins. However, in a human body, it becomes non-essential as it gets synthesized. Apart from the biosynthesis of glutamic acid, one should know that it can work as a neurotransmitter to the human body. This alpha-amino acid allows the nerve cells to transmit the information to the brain. However, this acid becomes glutamate in the human body.
Glutamic acid production also takes place in plants. Some plants can produce glutamic acid which is almost 45 percent of their weight. This kind of alpha-amino acid does not require any nutritional source, it can be synthesized from oxoglutaric acid in animals.
However, this acid can be easily consumed by human beings through natural sources. It is found in vegetables or food containing high-protein. High protein food like eggs, meat, poultry, fish, and milk products act as a primary source of this acid. Apart from these sources, vegetable sources like beets, cabbage, parsley, wheatgrass, maize, kale, and spinach act as sources of this amino acid.
Now, before heading towards the glutamic structure, the following points include some basic information about this acid:
Formula for this alpha-amino acid is C5H9NO4
The Molar Weight of this acid is 147.13 g/mol
The boiling point of this alpha-amino acid is 333.8°
The melting point is 199°C
What is Glutamic Acid structure?
The glutamic acid structure is similar to that of any normal amino acid. The amino acid structure groups include:
Amine group
R group
Central carbon
Carboxylic group
The anime group is attached to central carbon, and it acts as a bridge between chemical groups. The carboxylic group is a bond of oxygen and hydrogen. Therefore, the central carbon, carboxylic group, and amine group are common to all amino acids. However, the R group is different for each acid.
In the case of Glutamic acid, the R group is C3H5O2. The molecule of this acid is positively charged on one side while negatively charged on the other side. This proves that it is polar by nature.
What is Glutamic Acid uses?
Glutamic acid uses are not limited to only transmitting information to the brain, but it is more than that. The uses of this alpha-amino acid include:
1. Metabolism: In a body, this alpha-amino acid has a crucial role. In the human body, this amino acid helps to dispose of surplus nitrogen. The biosynthesis of glutamic acid will help to have better metabolism.
2. Brain functioning: For the better functioning of the brain, alpha-amino acid serves energy to it. With this acid, mental preparation is promoted. The consumption of glutamic acid benefits the learning capabilities of the brain, and many health professionals recommend its consumption.
3. Prostate Health: Prostate health is composed of high glutamic acid. Therefore, a lack of this amino acid can lead to the non-functioning of prostate health.
4. Heart Functioning: This glutamic acid also helps in the functioning of the heart. The type of glutamic acid, i.e. Monosodium glutamate improves the heartbeat in the human body.
What are Glutamic Acid Benefits?
The benefits or application of glutamic acid has a wide range:
1. When a person is treated with chemotherapy, this amino acid can help in preventing nerve damage.
2. It serves as a support for the treatment of epilepsy and muscular dystrophy.
3. The use of Glutamic acid benefits the treatment of behavioural problems of childhood.
4. The problem of congestion is also treated with the help of glutamic acid.
5. This acid also benefits the skin. It helps the skin molecules to bind water in the skin, thereby moisturizing the skin. With moisturized skin, a person can get an enhanced look.
Fun Fact
Glutamic Acid is an amino acid that produces a protein in the body. The application of glutamic acid is wide in the medical industry. From treating congestion to supporting childhood problems, this acid helps in various areas. However, an excessive intake of glutamic acid can lead to side effects. Therefore, one should consume this from external sources only on the recommendation of a doctor.
FAQs on Glutamic Acid: Structure, Properties and Functions
1. What is glutamic acid and how is it identified in chemistry?
Glutamic acid is a non-essential α-amino acid, meaning the human body can synthesise it. It is one of the 20 standard amino acids used to build proteins. Chemically, it is identified by its formula C₅H₉NO₄ and is often abbreviated as Glu or simply by the letter E. It is classified as an acidic amino acid because of an additional carboxyl group in its side chain.
2. Can you explain the chemical structure of glutamic acid?
The structure of glutamic acid consists of a central alpha-carbon atom bonded to four different groups: an amino group (-NH₂), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom (-H), and a specific side chain (R group). For glutamic acid, the side chain is -CH₂-CH₂-COOH. The presence of this second carboxyl group in the side chain is the key feature that defines its structure and acidic properties.
3. What are the main physical and chemical properties of glutamic acid?
Glutamic acid has several distinct properties that are important for its function. Key properties include:
Appearance: It is a white, crystalline solid at room temperature.
Acidity: It is an acidic amino acid with an isoelectric point (pI) of approximately 3.22. This is due to its two carboxyl groups and one amino group.
Melting Point: It has a high melting point of around 199 °C (390 °F), at which it decomposes.
Solubility: It is sparingly soluble in water and very poorly soluble in organic solvents like ethanol.
4. What are the primary biological functions of glutamic acid in the body?
Glutamic acid plays several critical roles in the body. Its main functions include being a fundamental building block for proteins, serving as a key molecule in cellular metabolism, and acting as the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate nervous system. In its role as a neurotransmitter, it is essential for neural communication, memory formation, and learning.
5. What is the difference between glutamic acid and glutamate?
The terms glutamic acid and glutamate refer to two forms of the same molecule. Glutamic acid is the protonated, neutral form of the amino acid. Glutamate is the deprotonated, anionic form (conjugate base) that is created when glutamic acid loses a proton from one of its carboxyl groups. At the neutral pH of the human body (around 7.4), the molecule exists predominantly as glutamate.
6. Why is glutamic acid classified as a non-essential amino acid?
Glutamic acid is classified as a non-essential amino acid because the human body can produce it on its own through metabolic pathways, such as the transamination of α-ketoglutarate. Therefore, it is not strictly required to be obtained from the diet, unlike essential amino acids which the body cannot synthesise and must be consumed through food.
7. How does glutamic acid differ structurally and functionally from glutamine?
Glutamic acid and glutamine are structurally very similar but functionally distinct. The key structural difference lies in their side chains: glutamic acid has a carboxyl group (-COOH), making it acidic. In contrast, glutamine has an amide group (-CONH₂) in the same position, making it neutral. Functionally, glutamic acid is a primary excitatory neurotransmitter, while glutamine is crucial for nitrogen transport between tissues, immune function, and gut health.
8. What is the zwitterionic form of glutamic acid?
The zwitterionic form of glutamic acid is an electrically neutral molecule that contains both a positive and a negative charge. This occurs at its isoelectric point (pI ≈ 3.22). In this state, the alpha-amino group is protonated (-NH₃⁺), and the alpha-carboxyl group is deprotonated (-COO⁻), while the side-chain carboxyl group remains protonated (-COOH). This dual-charge nature is characteristic of all amino acids.
9. Is the consumption of glutamic acid, for instance as MSG, harmful to your health?
Glutamic acid itself is a natural amino acid essential for health. Its sodium salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), is a common food additive. For the vast majority of people, MSG is considered safe when consumed in typical amounts. It is naturally present in foods like tomatoes and cheese. While a small number of individuals report sensitivity to MSG, it is not considered inherently harmful or unhealthy for the general population.
10. What is the official IUPAC name for glutamic acid?
The systematic IUPAC name for glutamic acid is 2-Aminopentanedioic acid. This name is derived as follows:
- 'Pentane' refers to the five-carbon backbone.
- 'dioic acid' indicates the presence of two carboxyl (-COOH) groups.
- '2-Amino' specifies that the amino (-NH₂) group is attached to the second carbon atom of the chain.
