3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) is a mycotoxin, a potent mitochondrial inhibitor,[1] which is toxic to humans.

It is produced by a number of fungi, and may be found in food such as in sugar cane as well as Japanese fungally fermented staples, including miso, soy sauce, katsuobushi,[2] coconuts[3] and some traditional Chinese medicines.

[4] It can be caused by extreme weather, stressed crop growth conditions, as well as storage conditions (like moisture),[5] which can give a further rise under global warming conditions.

[6] Fungi of the genus Arthrinium are known to produce 3-nitropropanoic acid.

[7] It is found that 3-nitropropionic acid is a mitochondrial toxin and produces striatal alterations in rats similar to those observed in the brain of Huntington's disease patients, and administration of the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55212-2 to rats for six consecutive days, before the 3-NPA injection, exerted preventive effects on all alterations elicited by the toxin, like mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid peroxidation, by activation of the CB1 receptor.