Nagardo® is a revolutionary new microbial stabilizer for beverage production. It is naturally derived and made from a purified mixture of glycolipids sourced from an edible mushroom, Dacryopinax spathularia (sweet osmanthus ear). It is extracted with a solvent-free process and is non-GMO and allergen-free.
While Nagardo can be used throughout the production process, it is primarily used just before packaging to ensure shelf-stability, providing broad-spectrum protection against common spoilage yeast and bacteria. Developed by LANXESS, the makers of Velcorin®, Nagardo represents a new frontier in microbial control for soft drinks, nonalcoholic (NA) drinks, wine, cider, beer, and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages.
How Nagardo Works
Nagardo® is a glycolipid, meaning it is composed of both a sugar (glyco-) and a lipid (fatty) component. Its antimicrobial action occurs through direct interaction with microbial cell membranes.
When spoilage yeast or bacteria are exposed to Nagardo, the glycolipid disrupts membrane integrity, interfering with essential cellular processes such as nutrient transport and energy regulation. This disruption prevents growth and survival across a broad range of microorganisms.
Benefits of Nagardo
Ease of Use
From a production standpoint, Nagardo® is simple and easy to implement without process changes or additional equipment:
- No dosing equipment required
- No safety/special-handling requirements
- Water soluble
- Shelf stable
- Added directly to the beverage
Compatible with Other Microbial Control Strategies
Nagardo® is compatible with common microbial control strategies such as SO2, chitosan, flash pasteurization, and Velcorin®, allowing beverage producers to combine antimicrobial strategies.
Wide pH Compatibility
Nagardo® maintains chemical stability from pH 2.5 to 7 and is most effective between pH 2.5 and 4.6. Its pH flexibility enables use in malt- and grain-based beverages (including NA beer) and a variety of RTDs.
Regulatory Status
Because the use of glycolipids for microbial control in beverages is a first‑of‑its‑kind application, Nagardo® is moving through the standard regulatory review processes with both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) before full approval in the United States. It is normal for regulatory timelines to vary across countries and beverage categories, and products such as Nagardo routinely progress at different speeds depending on jurisdiction and intended use.
Nagardo received FDA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) recognition in 2018 for use in NA beverages. It is currently under review by the TTB for use in alcoholic and alcohol‑removed beverages. Today, Nagardo is:
- Approved in Europe for use in NA beer and NA soft beverages
- Approved in the United States for use in soft beverages
- Can be used in RTDs and NA beer upon formulation approval by the TTB
- Can be used experimentally in wine and cider (must submit application to TTB under 27 CFR § 24.249)
From the Makers of Velcorin
LANXESS has earned global trust through decades of proven microbial control solutions, including the widespread use of Velcorin® across the beverage industry. Nagardo® builds on that same foundation of safety, science, and reliability. With its natural origin and expanding regulatory approvals, it offers a promising new option for modern beverage protection.
Learn More
Nagardo® is currently allowed for experimental use. Contact us for more information.