Umami Committee Participates in Latin America’s Largest Nutrition Event | Press

The event will take place on October 3, 4, and 5, 2013, at the Frei Caneca Convention and Events Center, and will feature the theme “Nutrition, Health, and Well-being.”

The Umami Committee, a group that promotes Umami—the fifth basic taste of the palate, alongside sweet, salty, sour, and bitter—will participate in Mega Nutrition Event 2013, the largest nutrition event in Latin America. The conference, to be held on October 3, 4, and 5 at the Frei Caneca Convention and Events Center, will focus on Nutrition, Health, and Well-being. The committee’s goal is to connect with specific audiences such as nutritionists and health and food professionals, sharing information about the fifth taste.

For those unfamiliar, Umami was discovered in 1908 by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda. However, only after many years of debate was it recognized as one of the basic tastes. “In 2000, scientists from the University of Miami discovered a specific receptor for the fifth taste, finally putting an end to the discussion,” explains Hellen Maluly, an expert on the subject.

During the three-day event, the committee will have a booth distributing informational pamphlets, holding book raffles, and promoting the website www.portalumami.com.br, which features numerous studies and curiosities about Umami.

On October 4 (Friday), the Mega Nutrition Event will also feature a lecture titled “Analysis of Umami Taste Sensitivity in Children with Cancer”, presented by Ilana Elman, PhD in Sciences (Public Health Nutrition) from the University of São Paulo. The talk will highlight the results of her recently published research.

MEGA NUTRITION EVENT

Dates: October 3, 4, and 5 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)
Hours:
Oct 3: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Oct 4: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Oct 5: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Frei Caneca Convention and Events Center
Rua Frei Caneca, 569, São Paulo – 4th and 7th floors
Website: www.nutricaoempauta.com.br/eventos/2013/megaevento

UMAMI COMMITTEE
The Umami Committee Brazil is a group created to discuss and disseminate topics related to the fifth basic taste of the human palate—Umami. The committee maintains a direct relationship with the Umami Information Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to research on the subject.

UMAMI TASTE
Umami is the fifth basic taste of the human palate, discovered in 1908 by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda. However, it was only recognized by the scientific community in 2000, when researchers at the University of Miami identified specific receptors on the taste buds. The amino acid glutamic acid and the nucleotides inosinate and guanylate are the main substances responsible for Umami. Parmesan cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, and meats in general are foods that contain these substances in high concentrations, which is why they have a stronger umami taste. The two main characteristics of Umami are increased salivation and the persistence of the taste for a few minutes after eating.