Nature’s Antioxidant®
Experience the new way to protect the flavor of your wine
Oxyrase® is an alternative to chemical antioxidants used for wine production. As an enzyme complex found in all living things that use oxygen, we isolate Oxyrase® in our lab to purify and standardize its composition as a natural antioxidant and preservative for consumable products.
Oxyrase® is a sterile product — it doesn’t contain any bacteria!
The Anaerobic Process of Wine Fermentation
Many of the nuances of wine are found in flavors generated during fermentation. This may be related to grapes used, the strain of yeast fermenting the juice, and the vintner’s practices.
What we do know: Delicate flavors are generated anaerobically. Those flavors can be negatively altered by oxidation. For this reason, every effort is used to keep oxygen from infiltrating wine. Once wine is oxidized, there is no way to reverse the process.
Wine is exposed to oxygen when it is pumped from the fermenter, when it is bottled, and when closures are faulty. Complex processes were developed to overcome these problems.
Oxyrase® could simplify these processes, eliminate the problems, and remove oxygen down to very low levels.
Wine is a Very Selective Environment
It is anaerobic, it is high in alcohol content, and it has a low pH. Together these conditions stop bacteria from growing in wine. Oxyrase® works in all of these conditions.
But Oxyrase® Can Do All of This Safely!
A safe antioxidant in wine (which is naturally selective) making the use of sulfites as a preservative unnecessary
So why kick sulfites to the curb?
When adding sulfites to your wine process it could:
- Impact wine flavor
- Cause severe respiratory episodes in people with sulfite-sensitive asthma
- Cause allergic reactions such as hives or digestive problems in people who lack the Sulfite Oxidase enzyme
MORE FACTS ON SULFITES:
- In large doses Sulfur Dioxide (the active chemical ingredient from sulfite additives) can be deadly to humans*
- In 1986 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned sulfite application used on fresh fruits and vegetables
*at levels of 100 ppm or more
As Nature’s Antioxidant®, Oxyrase® is the answer to preserving the hard work of harvesting and producing wine—making the addition of sulfites an unnecessary step!
Lab tested and designed to work efficiently over a wide range of pH and temperature, Oxyrase® preserves without chemicals and extends the shelf life of your wine, safely and naturally!
OXYRASE® — What is it & why use it?
Natural Preservative
Safe for Makers & Consumers
Removes Dissolved Oxygen
Effective in Any Liquid
Oxyrase® acts as an antioxidant — it reduces oxygen to water. It uses natural substrates found in wine, such as lactate and glucose, as hydrogen donors to reduce oxygen. If not removed, oxygen would react with substances in wine and could change flavor or color of the wine.
We isolate Oxyrase® from a GRAS microorganism, which is generally regarded as safe by the FDA. We have petitioned the FDA to recognize Oxyrase® as a GRAS substance. When recognized, Oxyrase® could be used as a food processing aid. It would protect wine, as well as other food products from changes due to oxidation.
Safety & Regulatory Validation
Comprehensive safety testing by Charles River Laboratories and independent legal validation confirm AC Oxyrase® meets the highest standards for food safety
Regulatory Confidence You Can Trust
AC Oxyrase® is self-affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) under 21 C.F.R. 170.30 for use in wine and beer production. Our determination is based on comprehensive safety studies conducted by Charles River Laboratories, a globally recognized leader in preclinical testing.
We’ve submitted a formal GRAS notification to the FDA to provide an additional layer of regulatory assurance for our customers.
90-Day Repeated Dose Toxicity Study
Study Code: 31989617• No changes in body weight or food consumption
• Normal hematology and clinical chemistry
• No organ weight or histopathological changes
In Vitro Micronucleus Test
Study Code: 31989613• Results within historical control range
• Positive controls confirmed test sensitivity
• No evidence of cytogenetic damage
Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay
Study Code: 31989612• No dose-related trends observed
• No treatment-related effects
• Negative controls within historical range
Legal Opinion — FDA Compliance
C. Humphrey & Associates, P.A. | June 24, 2025
Independent legal counsel, specializing in FDA regulations, has comprehensively reviewed AC Oxyrase® and provided expert opinion confirming full regulatory compliance.
- Meets the definition of GRAS pursuant to 21 C.F.R. 170.30
- May lawfully be marketed as GRAS under conditions of intended use without informing the FDA CFSAN
- Not subject to premarket approval requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
- Complies with FDA regulatory framework based on scientific procedures and in accordance with 21 CFR part 170, subpart E
Complete Transparency
All safety documentation is available for review. We believe in complete transparency regarding the safety and regulatory status of our products. Each study was conducted under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards at Charles River Laboratories, one of the world’s most trusted preclinical research organizations.
Ready to leave sulfites behind?
Let’s talk about how we can partner with your wine operation with Oxyrase®