E242 - Dimethyl dicarbonate

Functions: Preservative

Dimethyl dicarbonate -DMDC- is an organic compound which is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor at high concentration at room temperature. It is primarily used as a beverage preservative, processing aid, or sterilant -INS No. 242-, and acts by inhibiting the enzymes acetate kinase and L-glutamic acid decarboxylase. It has also been proposed that DMDC inhibits the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase by causing the methoxycarbonylation of their histidine components. - Wikipedia

EFSA evaluation: Scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of dimethyl dicarbonate -DMDC, E 242- as a food additive (2015-12-10)