Dr Ikeda first studied Chemistry at Tokyo Imperial University, before going to further his studies abroad with Professor Ostwald (Nobel Prize Award Winner, 1909) at Leipzig University, Germany. Dr Ikeda then returned to Japan where he became a Professor at Tokyo Imperial University.
As well as playing a part in the establishment of basic physical chemistry in Japan, Dr Ikeda was interested in improving the nutrition of the Japanese people. Not only did Dr Ikeda want to stop the Japanese from being malnourished, he also wanted to improve the health of people all over the world.
With this in mind, Dr Ikeda started research on the umami substances that are present in kombu. He discovered that glutamate was a key component of the umami taste in kombu. In its natural state, kombu contains glutamate at a concentration of 1000mg per 100g.
Dr Ikeda succeeded in transforming glutamate from kombu into an easy-to-use seasoning. In 1908, he was granted a patent for this seasoning, "The production method of seasoning, with glutamate as a key component". Ajinomoto then went on to produce and market this seasoning in 1909.
The Japan Patent Office selected Dr Ikeda as one of Japan's 10 greatest inventors for his discovery of umami, and the commercialization of this seasoning is regarded as one of the greatest collaborations between industry and academia in the Meiji era.
| 1864 | Born in Kyoto |
| 1889 | Graduated from Tokyo Imperial University, College of Chemistry |
| 1896 | Became Associate Professor in the Chemistry Dept. at Tokyo Imperial University |
| 1899 | Studied at Leipzig University, Germany with Professor Ostwald |
| 1901 | Returned to Japan, became Professor at Tokyo Imperial University |
| 1907 | Started research on umami |
| 1908 | Authorization of the patent for "The production method of seasoning, with glutamate as a key component" |
| 1913 | Became President of the Tokyo Chemical Society |
| 1923 | Retired from Tokyo Imperial University |
| 1925 | Began research in Leipzig |
| 1931 | Returned to Shinagawa, Japan and started research |
| 1936 | Died on 3 May |
