Dimethyl dicarbonate

Dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC), also known by the trade name Velcorin and sometimes referred to as dimethyl pyrocarbonate or methyl pyrocarbonate, is a reactive chemical preservative with CAS number 4525-33-1. It carries no E-code designation in the EU and is classified under HS code 2920 90 10.

In beverage production, DMDC inactivates spoilage microorganisms such as yeasts and bacteria by carbamylating intracellular enzymes, enabling cold sterilisation without heat treatment. It is also used in biotechnology workflows to inactivate RNases in aqueous solutions, protecting RNA integrity during downstream processing. Residual DMDC hydrolyses rapidly to carbon dioxide and methanol, leaving no active compound in the final product.

DMDC is supplied as a liquid in compliance with food-grade and technical-grade specifications, with applicable standards including FCC. It falls under REACH regulation and requires handling in accordance with relevant safety classifications. Packaging formats are available to suit both laboratory-scale and industrial-volume procurement requirements.