Kikunae Ikeda
- Born:
- October 8, 1864, Kyoto, Japan
- Died:
- May 3, 1936, Tokyo, Japan
- Nationality:
- Japanese
- Profession(s):
- Chemist
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from Tokyo Imperial University in 1889.
- Studied in Germany at the University of Leipzig under Wilhelm Ostwald.
Career and Major Achievements
- Professor of Chemistry at Tokyo Imperial University.
- In 1908, Kikunae Ikeda discovered that glutamate was responsible for the savory taste he termed "umami." This discovery was pivotal in food science.
- Patented the process for producing monosodium glutamate (MSG) in 1909.
- Collaborated with Saburosuke Suzuki II to commercialize MSG under the Ajinomoto brand.
Notable Works
- Research and publications on the chemical properties of glutamate and its role in taste perception.
- Patent for the industrial production of monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Legacy and Impact
Kikunae Ikeda's identification of umami as a distinct taste and his development of MSG as a flavor enhancer revolutionized the food industry. His work significantly impacted global cuisine and food production.
While there isn't specifically a "kikunae ikeda biography of michael" that exists, his work laid the foundation for understanding and utilizing umami, a taste universally appreciated.