Dehydroacetic acid

Dehydroacetic acid (CAS 520-45-6), also known by its food additive designation E265, is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and preservative active against fungi, yeasts, and bacteria.

Where is Dehydroacetic acid used?

• Food manufacturing: surface preservative on cut vegetables, fruit, and bakery goods
• Personal care and cosmetics: preservative system paired with benzyl alcohol in creams, lotions, and rinse-off products
• Cosmetic leave-on products: paraben-free preservation
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: preservative in topical formulations and semi-solid preparations requiring fungistatic protection
• In these applications mold inhibition is the primary concern for the manufacturer.

Good to know: Standard commercial grades include food-grade material meeting E265 specifications and cosmetic-grade material aligned with supplier-specific purity requirements. Pharmaceutical-grade material is available from select manufacturers.

Commercial specifications

• Purity typically stated at 99% or higher