Uses of Yeast Extract

Yeast extract is a common by-product of yeast, used for brewing.

Look at the back of a common bag of potato chips and you might notice the ingredient "yeast extract." Yeast extract is made from autolysed brewers' yeast (according to encyclopedia.com). Autolysis is the process by which an enzyme (such as yeast) digests itself. Autolyzed yeast (which forms yeast extract) allows the proteins and vitamins in the yeast extract to break down into simpler forms. Yeast extract is used in many processed foods.

Source of B Vitamins

Yeast extract contains B vitamins. According to Medline Plus, B vitamins (such as thiamine, riboflavin and niacin) help the body use and create energy. B vitamins also aid in the development of red blood cells (according to Medline Plus).

Flavor Enhancement

Yeast extract is also used in processed food to give it a "savory" flavor, according to encyclopedia.com. Many food manufacturers use yeast extract to add flavor to their products. Popular chips, such as Doritos, use yeast extract to bolster the flavor of the chips.

Replacement for MSG

According to naturalnews.com, yeast extract is used by many food manufacturers to replace MSG. Interestingly, as naturalnews.com points out, some forms of yeast extract may contain some MSG (but manufacturers do not have to list "MSG" as an ingredient; they just have to list "yeast extract"). According to truthinlabeling.org, yeast extract contains small amounts of MSG; the MSG in yeast extract is usually in quantities of 10 to 20 percent, though sometimes higher, according to naturalnews.com.

Sandwich Spreads

Yeast extract is a main ingredient in such products as Marmite and Vegemite. Both Marmite and Vegemite are dark-brown sandwich spreads made from the by-products of yeast used in the brewing industry (according to spurgeon.org and whatscookingamerica.net). Marmite is popular in Britain and Vegemite is popular in Australia. Both spreads boast having a high vitamin B content. According to spurgeon.org and whatscookingamerica.net, these spreads are akin to peanut butter in terms of thickness and have a salty taste.

References

• Encyclopedia.com: Yeast Extract
• NLM.NIH.gov: B Vitamins
• Naturalnews.com: Unsafe Snacks? New "Natural" Doritos contains yeast extract
• Truthinlabeling.org: No Regulations for Labeling Processed Free Glutamic Acid

Resources

• Spurgeon.org: Marmite
• Whatscookingamerica.net: Vegemite