Figure 1. Components of the reuterin system and proposed mechanism of activity.

Reuterin producing bacteria excrete 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) which in solution forms reuterin. Reuterin is comprised of 3-HPA, its hydrate 1,1,3-propanetriol, the dimer 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-hydroxy-1,3-dioxane and acrolein. Acrolein is proposed to be the active compound causing antibacterial activity as well as the conversion of heterocyclic amines (HCAs).