What Is 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), Ruminant Methane-Reducing Feed Additive? Applications, Dosage, Alternatives & Specifications

3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), with the chemical formula HO-CH2-CH2-O-NO2 and CAS number 100502–66–7, is a colorless transparent oily liquid at room temperature. It is insoluble in water and readily soluble in carbon tetrachloride, ethanol, acetonitrile, and other organic solvents. 3-NOP is a mononitrate ester of 1,3-propanediol and belongs to a class of methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) inhibitors. 3-NOP is a chemically synthesized small-molecule organic compound that, when used as a feed additive, specifically targets methanogenic archaea in the rumen of ruminants, inhibiting the final catalytic step of methanogenesis. Its core mechanism of action is: the nitrooxy ester group in the 3-NOP molecule selectively binds to methyl-coenzyme M reductase and inactivates the enzyme by temporarily oxidizing the nickel ion from +1 to +2 at the active site. Because 3-NOP is a structural analog of methyl-coenzyme M, it can bind with coenzyme B, thereby reducing the binding of methyl-coenzyme M with coenzyme B to form methane. 3-NOP is the world's first feed additive specifically for enteric methane mitigation in ruminants to receive approval in major markets, with the trade name Bovaer® (developed by DSM-Firmenich). The product offers farmers a low daily cost and has been proven in approved countries to effectively reduce enteric methane emissions without compromising animal performance.

3-NOP products can be divided into the following main varieties by content specification and formulation: Series

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