Reuterin (Synonyms: 3-HPA, 3-Hydroxypropionaldehyde, β-Hydroxypropionaldehyde)

Reuterin is a glycerol metabolite originally isolated from L. reuteri, a bacteria found in the intestines of humans, that has antibacterial activity.¹ It is produced by L. reuteri during exposure to live or UV-killed E. coli.² Reuterin is active against E. coli and several species of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Eubacterium (MICs = 1.9-15 mM) as well as C. difficile and B. vulgatus (MICs = <1.9 mM for both).³ It enhances increases in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death induced by vancomycin or metronidazole in C. difficile when used at a concentration of 2.5 mM.⁴ Reuterin alters the bacterial composition of, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by, the mouse fecal microbiome.⁵

1.Talarico, T.L., Casas, I.A., Chung, T.C., et al.Production and isolation of reuterin, a growth inhibitor produced by Lactobacillus reuteriAntimicrob. Agents Chemother.32(12)1854-1858(1988) 2.Schaefer, L., Auchtung, T.A., Hermans, K.E., et al.The antimicrobial compound reuterin (3-hydroxypropionaldehyde) induces oxidative stress via interaction with thiol groupsMicrobiology (Reading)156(Pt 6)1589-1599(2010) 3.Cleusix, V., Lacroix, C., Vollenweider, S., et al.Inhibitory activity spectrum of reuterin produced by Lactobacillus reuteri against intestinal bacteriaBMC Microbiol.7101(2007) 4.Engevik, M.A., Danhof, H.A., Shrestha, R., et al.Reuterin disrupts Clostridioides difficile metabolism and pathogenicity through reactive oxygen species generationGut Microbes12(1)1788898(2020) 5.Castellani, C., ObermÜller, B., Kienesberger, B., et al.Production, storage stability, and susceptibility testing of reuterin and its impact on the murine fecal microbiome and volatile organic compound profileFront. Microbiol.12699858(2021)