Dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor at high concentration at room temperature.

242) being highly active against typical beverage spoiling microorganisms like yeast, bacteria, or mould.

It can be used in various non-alcoholic as well as alcoholic drinks like wine, cider, beer-mix beverages or hard seltzers.

It acts by inhibiting enzymes involved in the microbial metabolism, e.g. acetate kinase and L-glutamic acid decarboxylase.

It then breaks down into small amounts of methanol and carbon dioxide, which are both natural constituents of fruit and vegetable juices.