The study of Umami Substance in Ramen noodle soup (I) : The research of Inosinic Acid

Abstract

This study was carried out to detect umami substances (IMP: inosine monophosphate, MSG: monosodium glutamine, GMP: guanosine monophosphate) in ramen noodle soup-broth sold in restaurants and retail supermarkets in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. In particular, our study examined the connection between IMP and prefered salt levels found in blind taste test conducted by Kochi Gakuen College nutrition students. According to the analysis from our samples, the average level of IMP found in restaurant ramen soup-broth was 0.42μM/ml IMP and 0.82μM/ml in commercially sold soup-broth. However, students chose a level of 5.3μM/ml IMP as the most delicious. In both restaurant and commercial soup-broth, IMP levels varied greatly; however, the level of salt present varied slightly, the average restaurant soup-broth was 1.57% and 1.6% in commercial soup-broth. The students, however, chose a salt level of 1.1% as the most desirable from a taste standpoint. In this case, there was little difference between the students' preferences and what is commonly available in restaurants and supermarkets. Finally, based on the findings, we tried to make the most delicious ramen soup-broth by adjusting the levels of salt and IMP in supermarket soup-broth to 1% and 1.57μM/ml, respectively.