BUTYRIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
-
Butyric acid is a colorless, foul-smelling carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C4H8O2. It belongs to the family of saturated fatty acids and is commonly found in various dairy products such as milk, butter, and cheese. The name "butyric" is derived from the Latin word "butyrum," which means butter, signifying its presence in these food sources.
In its pure form, butyric acid is a liquid with a pungent odor similar to that of vomit or rancid butter, which gives it its distinct characteristic. Its taste is often described as acid-like and unpleasant. Butyric acid is considered a volatile fatty acid due to its ability to evaporate easily.
In addition to its presence in dairy products, butyric acid is also produced by certain types of bacteria during the fermentation process. It plays a crucial role in the aroma and flavor of various fermented foods such as sauerkraut, pickles, and yogurt.
Butyric acid possesses antimicrobial properties and is sometimes used as a food preservative. It has also been utilized in the manufacturing of varnishes, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, its derivatives such as sodium butyrate and tributyrin have shown potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects, which are currently being studied.
Overall, butyric acid is an organic compound with a strong odor, commonly found in dairy products, and is involved in various metabolic and physiological processes.
-
An acid of unpleasant odor, occurring in butter, codliver oil, sweat, and many other substances; it exists in two forms: normal butyric acid, ethyl acetic acid, propyl formic acid, C3H7COOH, a colorless viscid liquid occurring as a glyceride in cow's butter; isobutyric acid, dimethyl acetic acid, CH(CH3)2COOH, is found as a glyceride in croton oil and elsewhere; it resembles the normal acid but has a somewhat less unpleasant odor.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BUTYRIC ACID
- vutyric acid
- nutyric acid
- hutyric acid
- gutyric acid
- bytyric acid
- bhtyric acid
- bjtyric acid
- bityric acid
- b8tyric acid
- b7tyric acid
- buryric acid
- bufyric acid
- bugyric acid
- buyyric acid
- bu6yric acid
- bu5yric acid
- buttric acid
- butgric acid
- buthric acid
Etymology of BUTYRIC ACID
The word "butyric acid" is derived from the Latin word "butyrum", which means butter. The name is a combination of "butyrum" and the suffix "-ic", indicating that it is an acid. This name was given to the acid because it was first discovered in rancid butter, which has a distinct unpleasant smell caused by the acid.
Similar spelling word for BUTYRIC ACID
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
