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tetrasodium glutamate diacetate

Also known as: Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-L-glutamic acid tetrasodium salt

Overview

Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate is a synthetic chelating agent derived from glutamic acid, primarily used to bind metal ions and improve product stability. It is not naturally sourced but is chemically manufactured. Its main function is to prevent deterioration caused by metal ions in various formulations. It is widely utilized in cosmetics and personal care products to enhance stability and shelf-life, as well as in household products, industrial applications, and cleaning compounds. This compound is water-soluble and maintains stability under typical formulation conditions. While safety assessments, including subchronic toxicity studies in animals, have been conducted, there is a notable absence of clinical trials or meta-analyses evaluating its efficacy or systemic effects in humans. The available evidence primarily stems from toxicological safety studies and regulatory panel reviews, with no identified systematic reviews or meta-analyses on human supplementation or therapeutic effects.

Benefits

Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate's primary benefit is its role as a chelating agent in product formulations. It functions by binding to metal ions, thereby preventing metal-catalyzed oxidation and degradation, which extends product shelf-life and maintains efficacy. This benefit is specific to the stability of the product itself, rather than providing direct physiological benefits to humans. There are no documented physiological, nutritional, or therapeutic benefits for human health. Consequently, there are no population-specific benefits, effect sizes, or clinical significance applicable to human health outcomes. The 'benefits' observed are solely related to the stability and longevity of the products it is incorporated into, rather than any direct biological effect on the user.

How it works

Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate primarily functions by chelating metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. This chelation process involves forming stable complexes with these metal ions, effectively sequestering them from the surrounding solution. By binding these metal ions, it prevents them from catalyzing undesirable reactions like oxidation and degradation within product formulations. This mechanism helps to maintain the stability, integrity, and shelf-life of various products, particularly in cosmetics and cleaning agents. There is no significant systemic biological interaction reported, as its action is primarily external within the product matrix, with minimal absorption into the body.

Side effects

Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics at typical concentrations, based on animal toxicology studies and expert panel reviews. There are no common, uncommon, or rare side effects reported in human studies, as clinical data on human exposure are lacking. No known drug interactions or contraindications have been established. Safety conclusions are primarily derived from animal studies, such as a 90-day oral toxicity study in Wistar rats, which showed no treatment-related adverse clinical signs at doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day, though some hematological changes were noted at the highest dose. No mortality or severe toxicity was observed in this study. Inhalation toxicity studies also indicate low acute toxicity. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has concluded it is safe for use in cosmetics under current conditions. Special population considerations are not available due to the lack of human data. Overall, the safety profile appears favorable for its intended use in external product formulations, with no evidence of significant adverse effects or systemic toxicity in the available toxicological data.

Dosage

There are no established dosing guidelines for tetrasodium glutamate diacetate for human supplementation, as it is not used as a dietary supplement or for any direct human health benefit. Its application is primarily as an ingredient in various formulations, such as cosmetics, personal care products, and cleaning agents. In these applications, its usage concentrations are regulated and typically maintained at low levels, consistent with safety assessments conducted by regulatory bodies and expert panels. The specific concentration used varies depending on the product type and desired chelating effect, but these levels are determined to ensure product stability and consumer safety. There are no upper limits or safety thresholds defined for human ingestion or systemic exposure, given its non-supplementary nature and minimal absorption.

FAQs

Is tetrasodium glutamate diacetate safe for topical use?

Yes, safety panels, including the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, have concluded that tetrasodium glutamate diacetate is safe for use in cosmetic formulations at current use levels, based on available toxicological data.

Does it provide nutritional or health benefits when ingested?

No, there is no evidence to support any nutritional or therapeutic benefit for humans when tetrasodium glutamate diacetate is ingested. It is not used as a dietary supplement.

Can it cause allergic reactions?

There is no data indicating that tetrasodium glutamate diacetate causes allergenicity or sensitization in humans. Available safety assessments do not report such effects.

Is it absorbed systemically?

Limited data suggest that tetrasodium glutamate diacetate has minimal systemic absorption when used in topical or oral contexts. Its primary action is external, within product matrices.

Research Sources

https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf – This document from the CIR Expert Panel provides a safety assessment of tetrasodium glutamate diacetate. It includes a 90-day oral toxicity study in rats showing no significant adverse effects at doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day, with minor hematological changes at the highest dose. The panel concluded the ingredient is safe for use in cosmetics under current conditions, noting the lack of human data and long-term studies.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Tetrasodium-Glutamate-Diacetate – PubChem provides comprehensive chemical information on Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, confirming its widespread industrial and cosmetic use. It notes the absence of reported safety concerns in consumer products and highlights that no clinical efficacy or human supplementation studies are available for this compound.
https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/Amino%20Acid%20Diacetates_2.pdf – This CIR safety assessment further supports the safety of tetrasodium glutamate diacetate in cosmetics. It references toxicological studies, including an inhalation LC50 in rats (>4.2 mg/l) indicating low acute inhalation toxicity. The report reinforces the conclusion that the ingredient is safe for its intended use in personal care products.
https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/inci-ingredients/tetrasodium-glutamate-diacetate – SpecialChem's INCI ingredient database provides information on tetrasodium glutamate diacetate as a chelating agent in cosmetics. It details its function in binding metal ions to improve product stability and shelf-life, aligning with its primary use in the industry.
https://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/tetrasodium-glutamate-diacetate/ – CosmeticsInfo.org offers consumer-friendly information on tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, describing its role as a chelating agent in cosmetic and personal care products. It reiterates the safety conclusions from expert panels, assuring consumers of its safe use in these applications.