3-mercaptopropionic acid

3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) is a small organosulfur molecule (HS–CH2–CH2–CO2H) that functions as a bifunctional thiol–carboxylic acid used primarily as a chemical intermediate, flavoring agent, and research tool rather than a therapeutic drug.[1][7] It is a competitive inhibitor of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), reducing γ‑aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis in the central nervous system and thereby acting as a potent experimental convulsant and GABAergic pathway modulator in neurotoxicity and sleep–wakefulness studies.[1][3][7][9][14] Industrially and in materials science, 3-mercaptopropionic acid is widely used to form self-assembled monolayers and as a capping or crosslinking thiol in the preparation of hydrophilic nanoparticles, polymer cross-linkers, PVC stabilizers, and thiol-based additives, and it is also employed in the food and beverage industry as a sulfurous flavoring agent.[1][7][11][13]

Other names

3-mercaptopropanoic acid3-MPA3-mercaptopropionic3-thiopropionic acidThiopropionic acid3-Sulfanylpropanoic acidβ-mercaptopropionic acid