E639 – Alanine
Flavour enhancerDescription
White crystalline powder
Notes
DL-Alanine is an amino acid, which are the building blocks that make up proteins. While alanine occurs naturally in many protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products, the version used as a food additive is typically produced through fermentation using bacteria or yeast, similar to how yogurt is made. This creates a white, crystalline powder that dissolves easily in water and has a slightly sweet taste. In food products, DL-alanine serves as a flavor enhancer, helping to boost and round out tastes, particularly umami and sweet flavors. It's commonly found in processed foods like soups, sauces, seasoning blends, and snack foods. Unlike some flavor enhancers that add a specific taste, alanine works more subtly to make existing flavors taste fuller and more satisfying, similar to how salt can make sweet foods taste sweeter. This additive can be produced synthetically or through fermentation, and the fermentation-derived version is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. Since alanine is a naturally occurring amino acid that our bodies both make and use regularly, it doesn't present allergen concerns for most people. It's compatible with all major religious dietary requirements and is considered very safe, as it's essentially the same compound found naturally in everyday protein sources.