BEDFORD, MASS. — Conagen expanded the natural preservatives offered by its commercialization partner Blue California with the launch of p-Coumaric Acid (PCA).

Conagen’s PCA is an antioxidant and antimicrobial compound found in peanuts, tomatoes, carrots, basil and garlic. It is produced using a precision fermentation process. The technology enables the cultivation of microorganisms programmed to create sustainable, natural ingredients with high purity at a price competitive with synthetic PCA, according to the company.

“Our PCA expands the toolbox for product developers looking for a scalable, low cost-in-use, natural solution for increasing the shelf life of food without interfering with the flavor of their products,” said Casey Lippmeier, vice president of innovation at Conagen.