Monosodium glutamate(msg)is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, an amino acid and an important component of protein. The various forms of glutamic acid are generically referred to as glutamates. Glutamate is a natural element found in virtually all foods such as meat, fish, poultry, milk(includingmother\'\'s milk), and many vegetables. It can be found in bound form when linked to with other amino acids to form protein and also in free form when it is unlinked.