Editing Marmite (section)

== Manufacture ==
While the process is secret, the general method for making yeast extract on a commercial scale is to add salt to a suspension of yeast, making the solution [[tonicity|hypertonic]], which results in the cells shrivelling; this triggers [[Autolysis (biology)|autolysis]], during which the yeast self-destructs. The dying yeast cells are then heated to complete their breakdown, and since yeast cells have thick cell walls which would detract from the smoothness of the end product, the husks are sieved out. As with other yeast extracts, Marmite contains free [[Glutamate flavoring|glutamic acid]], the monosodium salt of which being [[monosodium glutamate]].

Currently, the main ingredients of Marmite are glutamic acid-rich yeast extract, with lesser quantities of [[sodium chloride|salt]], vegetable extract, spice extracts and celery extracts, although the precise composition is a [[trade secret]]. Vitamins added for [[food fortification]] include riboflavin, folic acid, and [[Vitamin B12|vitamin B{{sub|12}}]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marmite.co.uk/love/nutrition/ingredients.html|title=Marmite ingredients (company web site)|website=Marmite.co.uk|access-date=21 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723184424/http://www.marmite.co.uk/love/nutrition/ingredients.html|archive-date=23 July 2008}}</ref> Vitamin B{{sub|12}} is not naturally found in yeast extract, but is very important for vegans who are at risk of deficiency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Vegetarianhealth/Pages/Vegandiets.aspx|title=The vegan diet - Live Well|website=[[NHS Choices]]|access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref>