We developed a kinetic model for the decomposition reaction of inosine monophosphate (IMP), which is a umami component, and obtained kinetic parameters based on the amount of IMP in an isothermal experiment. The amount of remaining IMP decreased with heating time, and its reduction rate was the highest at 40 degrees C. We assumed that the activity of IMP decomposition enzyme is temperature-dependent above 40 degrees C, and constant below 40 degrees C. The predicted results using this kinetic model are in good agreement with the experimental ones. Unsteady-state three-dimensional heat transfer analysis of meat during sous-vide cooking was conducted, and the distribution of remaining IMP was predicted. By the end of sous-vide cooking, the ratio of the amount of IMP in the interior of the meat decreased, whereas at the surface region, it was almost the same as the initial value, because the surface temperature reached the inactivation temperature immediately. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.