Ribotides is a common name for disodium 5’-ribonucleotides, INS 635 (E635). It is a blend of two flavour enhancers, disodium inosinate (INS 631) and disodium guanylate (INS 627), salts of nucleotides that occur naturally in meat, fish, mushrooms and yeast. The ribotides used by food makers are usually produced by fermentation.
On its own it tastes of very little, but combined with monosodium glutamate (MSG) it strongly boosts the savoury umami taste, so seasoning makers can get a full, meaty flavour from small amounts of both. That is why it sits right after MSG in the seasoning of Lay’s Stax Original, as well as the Spicy Lobster and Sour Cream & Onion Stax.
Ribotides is listed in the Codex INS system as a flavour enhancer and has been evaluated by JECFA. It is used in small amounts, typically together with MSG rather than in place of it.
