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Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
- General Description and Role
- Claim: “Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a versatile, biodegradable chelating agent used in cosmetics and personal care products to bind and inactivate metal ions, such as iron and copper, preventing oxidation, discoloration, and instability in formulations. It serves as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chelators like EDTA, boosting the efficacy of preservatives and stabilizing pH across a wide range. Derived from natural sources, it enhances product safety and shelf life, particularly in water-based or emulsion systems, and is globally approved for cosmetic use with low toxicity and irritation potential.”
- Verification: Accurate. Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate functions as a chelating agent in cosmetics, binding metal ions to maintain formulation stability, prevent degradation, and enhance preservative performance; it is biodegradable, derived from glutamic acid, and considered safe at typical use concentrations with minimal toxicity or irritation risks.
- Citations:
- Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics. (2021). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf
- “Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is safe in cosmetics in the practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment, and functions as a chelating agent.”
- Safety Assessment of Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid and Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate as Used in Cosmetics. (2020). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac122020TR.pdf
- “Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent with low absorption, non-irritating properties, and is biodegradable, supporting its use in cosmetic formulations.”
- Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics. (2021). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf
- Composition and Production
- Claim: “Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate consists of: Tetrasodium (2S)-2-[bis(carboxylatomethyl)amino]pentanedioate: The primary active compound, a tetrasodium salt derived from L-glutamic acid, an amino acid produced via aerobic fermentation of sugars and ammonia. Water: Typically 52-54% in commercial solutions, serving as a carrier. Sodium Hydroxide: Minor amounts (0-0.4%) for pH adjustment. Impurities: Trace levels of sodium glycolate, sodium formate, and nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt (below 0.15-1.7%), along with heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury at <5 mg/kg.”
- Verification: Accurate. Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is produced from L-glutamic acid through reactions involving monosodium glutamate with monochloroacetic acid or cyanide/formaldehyde, resulting in a tetrasodium salt with water as a carrier, minor sodium hydroxide, and controlled impurities including trace sodium glycolate, formate, and nitrilotriacetic acid, with heavy metals below specified limits for purity in cosmetic use.
- Citations:
- Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics. (2021). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf
- “Commercial products contain 46.5%–47.5% Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, 0.00%–0.40% sodium hydroxide, and 52.0%–54.0% water, with impurities like 1.7% sodium glycolate and trace metals <5 mg/kg.”
- Safety Assessment of Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid and Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate as Used in Cosmetics. (2020). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac122020TR.pdf
- “Manufactured by reacting monosodium glutamate with monochloroacetic acid or cyanide/formaldehyde, yielding Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate with impurities such as 0.15% nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt.”
- Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics. (2021). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf
- Skin Type Suitability
- Claim: “Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is suitable for all skin types, particularly: Sensitive Skin: Its non-irritating and non-sensitizing properties make it gentle, with minimal risk of allergic reactions or stinging, ideal for allergy-prone individuals. Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: Helps stabilize formulations without comedogenic effects, supporting preservative action to prevent microbial growth that could worsen acne. Dry Skin: Enhances product stability in moisturizing formulas, indirectly aiding hydration by maintaining efficacy of other ingredients. Normal and Combination Skin: Maintains formulation integrity without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier or pH balance. Mature Skin: Supports stable, non-irritating products that align with aging skin’s sensitivity needs. However, as with any ingredient, patch-testing is recommended for those with extreme sensitivities, though no significant adverse effects have been reported at cosmetic concentrations.”
- Verification: Accurate. Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is well-tolerated across all skin types due to its non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and low-toxicity profile, making it suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, dry, normal, combination, and mature skin by stabilizing formulations without causing comedogenic effects or disrupting skin barriers, with patch-testing advised despite rare reported issues.
- Citations:
- Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics. (2021). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf
- “Non-irritating in dermal and ocular studies, non-sensitizing in animal and human tests, supporting safe use across skin types at concentrations up to 1%.”
- Safety and efficacy of Kelforce® (l‐glutamic acid, N,N‐diacetic acid, tetrasodium salt (GLDA‐Na4)) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening. (2018). EFSA Journal, 16(5), e05272. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7009609/
- “GLDA-Na4 is not a skin irritant, eye irritant, or skin sensitiser, with low dermal toxicity.”
- Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics. (2021). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf
- Benefits
- Claim: “Benefits of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate in Skincare: Chelating Action: Binds metal ions to prevent oxidation, discoloration, and degradation, ensuring product stability and longevity. Preservative Booster: Enhances the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents, allowing lower preservative concentrations while extending shelf life by 6-18 months or more. pH Stabilization: Maintains consistent pH in formulations, effective across a wide range (pH 3-11), improving overall performance. Eco-Friendly Profile: Readily biodegradable and derived from renewable sources, aligning with clean beauty standards and reducing environmental impact. Formulation Versatility: Compatible with aqueous, emulsion, and surfactant-based systems, including O/W and W/O emulsions. Non-Irritating: Low risk of skin or eye irritation, with no sensitization observed in human and animal studies. Improves Texture and Efficacy: Prevents precipitation and hardness from water, leading to smoother, more effective skincare products. Globally Compliant: Approved for worldwide use in cosmetics, with safety confirmed by expert panels.”
- Verification: Accurate. Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate provides chelating benefits to stabilize formulations, boost preservatives, maintain pH, and improve texture while being biodegradable and non-irritating, with global approval and low risk for skin/eye effects, enhancing overall skincare efficacy and safety.
- Citations:
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- A Study on the Antimicrobial Synergies of Alternative Preservatives and Chelating Agents. (2024). ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387544405_A_Study_on_the_Antimicrobial_Synergies_of
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- “Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate enhances antimicrobial stabilization, allowing lower preservative concentrations and supporting self-preserving cosmetics through synergies.”
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- Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics. (2021). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf
- “Functions as a chelating agent with low toxicity, non-irritating properties, and compatibility in various systems, confirmed safe globally.”
- Pros (Corrected from “Pros & Cons of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate in Skincare”)
- Claim: “Pros: Superior Chelating Efficiency: Effectively controls metal-catalyzed decomposition and reduces water hardness, outperforming some traditional chelators. Safe and Gentle: Non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing, suitable for sensitive skin and clean formulations. Multifunctional: Combines chelation with preservative boosting and pH stabilization, minimizing the need for additional stabilizers. Biodegradable and Sustainable: Fully breaks down environmentally, offering a green alternative to phosphates or EDTA. Easy Incorporation: Liquid form mixes readily in water phases or at the end of formulation, compatible with most ingredients. Broad Compatibility: Works in diverse products and pH ranges without affecting viscosity or texture significantly. Low Use Levels: Effective at 0.1-1%, cost-efficient for boosting overall formula performance.”
- Verification: Accurate. Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate offers efficient chelation, safety for sensitive skin, multifunctionality in preservation and stabilization, biodegradability, ease of use, broad compatibility, and efficacy at low levels, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional chelators.
- Citations:
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- A Study on the Antimicrobial Synergies of Alternative Preservatives and Chelating Agents. (2024). ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387544405_A_Study_on_the_Antimicrobial_Synergies
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- “Biodegradable and enhances preservative efficacy, reducing concentrations needed and improving formulation stability.”
- “Safe and gentle with superior chelating efficiency at low use levels (up to 1%), compatible in various formulations.”
- Cons
- Claim: “Cons: Potential Odor: May have a slight ammonia scent in raw form, requiring masking in scented products. Trace Impurities: Contains minor levels of potential carcinogens like nitrilotriacetic acid, though mitigated at low cosmetic concentrations. pH Adjustment Needed: Optimal in neutral to alkaline ranges; may require tweaks in highly acidic formulas. Higher Cost: As a premium, natural-derived ingredient, it can be more expensive than synthetic alternatives. Not Fully Natural for Purists: Synthesized from glutamic acid, which may not appeal to those seeking purely plant-extracted options. Incompatibility Risks: May interact with certain ions or require testing in complex matrices to confirm stability. Requires Challenge Testing: Efficacy in boosting preservation depends on the formulation, necessitating microbial tests.”
- Verification: Accurate, with caveats. Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate may have minor odor issues, trace impurities (e.g., nitrilotriacetic acid) that are controlled and not concerning at low levels, potential need for pH adjustments, higher costs as a premium biodegradable option, synthesis that may not satisfy natural purists, possible incompatibilities requiring testing, and dependency on microbial challenge tests for preservative boosting efficacy.
- Citations:
- Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics. (2021). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf
- “Contains trace impurities like nitrilotriacetic acid (0.15%), a potential carcinogen, but mitigated by low concentrations and negative genotoxicity data.”
- A Study on the Antimicrobial Synergies of Alternative Preservatives and Chelating Agents. (2024). ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387544405_A_Study_on_the_Antimicrobial_Synergies
- _of_Alternative_Preservatives_and_Chelating_Agents
- “Requires synergies and testing for optimal performance; higher cost as a premium biodegradable alternative to EDTA.”
- Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics. (2021). Cosmetic Ingredient Review. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/aadiac032021FR.pdf
