Ethyl lauroyl arginate is synthesized by esterifying arginine with ethanol, followed by reacting the ester with lauroyl chloride. The resultant ethyl lauroyl arginate is recovered as hydrochloride salt and is a white, solid product which is filtered off and dried. The active ingredient is the hydrochloride salt of ethyl-Nα -lauroyl-L-arginate (ethyl-Nα -dodecanoyl-L-arginate·HCl, CAS number 60372-77-2) and its molecular weight is 421.02. The content of ethyl-Nα -lauroyl-L-arginate is between 85-95%. Ethyl lauroyl arginate is a white powder and its solubility in water at 20ºC is greater than 247 g/kg. It is stable for more than 2 years at room temperature when protected in a closed container. This substance is intended to be used as preservative for its anti-microbial activity. The synonyms are lauric arginate ethyl ester, lauramide arginine ethyl ester, LAE and INS No. 243.