Nitrate Testing Without Cadmium — or Compromise
Nitrate reductase (NaR) enables accurate nitrate measurement without cadmium or other hazardous chemicals, by enzymatically reducing nitrate to nitrite. NECi produces two recombinant forms — AtNaR and YNaR — each optimized for different testing environments and regulatory requirements.
AtNaR: The Regulatory Standard
AtNaR is NECi's plant-derived recombinant nitrate reductase, and the only NaR enzyme validated and approved for compliance-level nitrate reporting. Plant-derived production means AtNaR is easier to ship internationally, compatible with a wider range of applications, and carries fewer sourcing restrictions than animal-derived alternatives — supporting both regulatory confidence and sustainability goals.
AtNaR is approved by the EPA as an alternative method under EPA Method 353.3, and is recognized under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act as a safe, accurate, and environmentally responsible analytical method — compliant with 40 CFR Part 136 and listed in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water & Wastewater. Validated against cadmium reduction with equal or superior accuracy, it delivers higher catalytic efficiency and precision across a wide range of matrices and concentration ranges, including high-salinity environments such as ocean and seawater.
This is not simply an alternative to cadmium-based methods — it is the approved path forward for laboratories transitioning away from hazardous reagents.
AtNaR is the enzyme of choice for municipal drinking water laboratories, wastewater treatment plants, environmental monitoring programs, state-certified laboratories, OEM analytical instrument manufacturers, and high-throughput nitrate testing platforms.
Clean Chemistry
Traditional nitrate analysis relies on cadmium — a toxic heavy metal that poses significant risks to human health and the environment. AtNaR replaces cadmium entirely with a safe, biodegradable, non-toxic enzymatic method that drops directly into existing workflows without requiring system redesign.
The result is a testing process with no heavy metals, no hazardous waste, reduced regulatory burden, lower operational costs, and a measurably smaller environmental footprint. For laboratories and instrument manufacturers committed to green chemistry and sustainable water testing, AtNaR is the clear choice.
Built for OEM Integration and Automated Workflows
AtNaR is engineered for seamless integration into analytical systems, making it the preferred nitrate reductase for automated workflows and commercially manufactured instruments. Its consistent purity, stable activity, and reproducible performance allow OEM partners to build reliable, scalable, and regulatory-compliant nitrate detection systems. Compatible with all major colorimetric platforms — from visual assessment to discrete analyzers — AtNaR works within your existing system. NECi supports implementation of any of its enzymes into your workflow.
YNaR: Dependable and Economical
For non-regulatory applications, NECi also offers YNaR — a yeast-expressed nitrate reductase well suited to on-site testing kits, agricultural soil and runoff testing, educational laboratories, field-based applications, and low-temperature measurements. YNaR is robust and economical, and while it is not approved for Clean Water Act or Safe Drinking Water Act reporting, it remains an excellent option wherever compliance-level certification is not required.
Scalable, Dependable Supply
NECi supplies AtNaR and YNaR in the volumes your operation demands. Every bulk shipment includes robust QA documentation and full lot traceability, and we ship worldwide.
As with every NECi product, your satisfaction is fully guaranteed. If you ever have a problem, we'll make it right.
Check out our current products that use AtNaR and YNaR:
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