butanoic acid
Definition
Noun: 1. A fatty acid with an unpleasant smell: A clear, colorless, oily liquid carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C₄H₈O₂. It is characterized by a strong, rancid odor and is found naturally in various animal fats and plant oils, most notably in butter.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The distinctive smell of rancid butter is largely due to the presence of butanoic acid.
- Butanoic acid is used as a flavoring agent in some foods and in the production of esters for perfumes.
- In the laboratory, we synthesized butanoic acid from its corresponding alcohol.
Advanced Usage
- Biochemical Context: In biochemistry, butanoic acid is noted as a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber in the colon.
- Butanoic acid produced by gut microbiota is an important energy source for colon cells.
- Industrial Context: It is an important chemical feedstock, often referred to by its common name, butyric acid, in industrial settings.
- The ester derived from butanoic acid is used to give a fruity note to some fragrances.
Variants and Related Words
- Butyric acid: This is the most common synonym and the name typically used in biological and industrial contexts.
- Butanoate (n): The salt or ester form of butanoic acid.
- Sodium butanoate is used as a food preservative.
- Butyrate (n): The salt or ester form of butyric acid, frequently used in nutritional and medical literature.
- Calcium butyrate is sometimes taken as a dietary supplement.
Synonyms
- Butyric acid
- Propylformic acid (systematic name)
- Ethylacetic acid
Related Phrases / Terms
- Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA): The class of carboxylic acids to which butanoic acid belongs, along with acetic acid and propionic acid.
- Rancid odor: The characteristic, unpleasant smell associated with butanoic acid.
Noun
-
an unpleasant smelling fatty acid found especially in butter
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