Synthesis and applications of 2-OXO-4-methylthiobutyric acid, its salts and its derivatives

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for preparing 2-oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid (I), its salts and its derivatives in which R represents a group chosen from COOH, COOR′, NH 2 , NHR′ or NR′R″, where R′ and R″ are chosen, independently of one another, from the group of linear or branched alkyl radicals having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and cycloalkyl radicals having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, according to which process but-3-ene-1,2-diol (II) is catalytically and selectively oxidized to give 2-oxobut-3-enoic acid (III) and methyl mercaptan is selectively condensed with 2-oxobut-3-enoic acid (III). 2-Oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid (I), its salts and its derivatives are used as food supplement, in particular in animal nutrition.

1 . A food supplement consisting of a compound and/or its salts, the compound corresponding to the formula (I) 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       in which R represents a group chosen from COOH, COOR′, CONH 2 , CONHR′ or CONR′R″, where R′ and R″ are chosen, independently of one another, from the group of linear or branched alkyl radicals having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and cycloalkyl radicals having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms. 
     
   
   
       2 . The supplement according to  claim 1 , consisting of 2-oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid (I) and/or its salts. 
   
   
       3 . A food ration comprising a cereals part, a concentrated feed part and the supplement according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       4 . A process for the administration of bioavailable methionine to a cow, comprising administering the supplement according to  claim 1  to the Cow.