B-590.61.157 [2025-04] Dimethyl Dicarbonate (DMDC) – Determining the Dosage Quantity
Dimethyldicarbonate is approved as a food additive with the number E 242 as a declaration-free 'cold sterilization agent'.
DMDC (Velcorin®) is used for the cold sterilization of non-alcoholic soft drinks.
Essentially, DMDC (Velcorin®) kills yeasts, bacteria and molds. It has little effect against mold spores and ascospores of yeasts. Some Lactobacillus species show increased resistance to DMDC (Velcorin®).
The addition of dimethyldicarbonate (DMDC) is approved in Germany for non-alcoholic, flavored beverages, non-alcoholic wine and liquid tea concentrate in accordance with § 5 of the Additive Approval Ordinance. Mixed beer drinks, cider and wine may also be treated.
A maximum of 250 mg/l may be added to the beverages mentioned. According to Regulation (EC) No. 606/2009 (EU Codex Regulation) Annex IA No. 34, dimethyl dicarbonate is permitted in grape must intended for direct human consumption, table wine, sparkling wine, semi-sparkling wine, liqueur wine and quality wine. A maximum of 200 mg/l may be added and no more dimethyl dicarbonate may be detectable in the finished product. Previously, the use of DMDC was permitted from a residual sugar content of 5 g/l of the wine; according to the latest Regulation (EC) No. 315/2012 (Annex 6), DMDC may only be used in semi-dry, semi-sparkling and sweet wines.
Dimethyldicarbonate (Velcorin®) decomposes rapidly and almost completely into carbonic acid and methanol in aqueous solutions. In addition, small amounts of ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) are formed from the reaction of DMDC with ethanol, which can be detected by GC-MS [2]. The content of added DMDC can be determined by determining the content of EMC and ethanol. The Velcorin® dosage can be checked by quantitative methanol determination using GC. However, the methanol content of the product before Velcorin® dosage must be taken into account.
The reaction equation results in a factor of 2.0925.
Application/Purpose
Determination of the correct Velcorin® dosage.
Scope of Application
flavored beverages, liquid tea concentrate, fruit wine, non-alcoholic wine
Principle
DMDC (Velcorin®) is used for the cold sterilization of non-alcoholic beverages.
According to the EU guideline EG 1129/2011 [1], up to 250 mg/l DMDC may be added to flavored non-alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic wine and liquid tea concentrates.
Dimethyl dicarbonate (Velcorin®) quickly dissociates in aqueous solutions almost completely to carbon dioxide and methanol. In addition, small amounts of ethyl methyl carbonate are formed through the reaction of DMDC with ethanol, which can be detected through GC-MS analysis techniques [2]. The amount of DMDC added to a beverage can be determined by measuring the content of EMC and ethanol. The Velcorin® dosage can be checked by measuring the amount of methanol quantitatively using GC analysis; however, the initial amount of methanol present in the product prior to adding Velcorin® must be determined.