When bound to proteins,
glutamate is tasteless. The sweet umami taste and flavor
becomes perceptible only when free glutamate dissociates
from proteins during the processes of fermentation,
ripening and cooking [3]. Tomatoes, cheese and
mushrooms contain large quantity of glutamate and are thus
used to enrich the taste and flavor of foods [4]. However,
the use of excess amount of glutamate actually makes food
more distasteful rather than impart good taste [4].