 When glutamic acid or any of its salts is dissolved in water, it immediately forms a solution of separate negative ions, called glutamates, and positive ions like or .There is actually a chemical equilibrium among several ionized forms, including zwitterions, that depends on the acidity (pH) of the solution.Within the common pH range of foods, the prevailing ion can be described as −OOC-C()-()2-COO−, with a net −1 electric charge.