Non-protein nitrogen

Non-protein nitrogen (or NPN) is a term used in animal nutrition to refer collectively to components such as urea, biuret, and ammonia, which are not proteins but can be converted into proteins by microbes in the ruminant stomach. Due to their lower cost compared to plant and animal proteins, their inclusion in a diet can result in economic gain, but at too high levels cause a depression in growth and possible ammonia toxicity, as microbes convert NPN to ammonia first before using that to make protein.

NPN can also be used to artificially raise crude protein values, which are measured based on nitrogen content, as protein is about 16% nitrogen and the only major component of most food that contains nitrogen is protein. The source of NPN is typically a chemical feed additive, or sometimes chicken waste and cattle manure.

Nitrogen Effects on Water Quality

Water quality is greatly influenced by nitrogen, which also has an impact on ecosystems in settings that humans have modified. Even though nitrogen is a necessary element for life, too much of it in water can have negative effects on aquatic ecosystems and endanger human health. Agricultural runoff, where fertilizers containing nitrogen compounds can seep into rivers, lakes, and groundwater, is one of the main sources of nitrogen in water. Urban areas also release wastewater and add nitrogen through stormwater runoff. The process of eutrophication, in which an abundance of nutrients encourages the growth of algae and other aquatic plants, can be brought on by elevated nitrogen levels in water.

See also

• Nitrogen cycle
• Cyanamide
• Cyanuric acid
• Melamine
• 1,3,5-Triazine
• Triazines
• Chinese protein export contamination