Structure of Butyric Acid
Butyric acid, or butanoic acid, is a saturated short-chain fatty acid that has a 4-carbon backbone structure.
Butyric Acid Formula
Butyric acid is a carboxylic acid whose chemical formula is C3H7COOH. It is a short-chain fatty acid, which is also known as Butanoic acid, Propyl Formic acid, or Ethyl Acetic acid. It is not frequently found in nature, but its esters are widespread. For example, plant oils and animal fats contain butyric acid in its esterified form. A fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic chain that can be either saturated or unsaturated. It is a colorless, oily liquid that has an unpleasant odor similar to vomit or body odor. In the year 1814, a French chemist, Michel Eugene Chevreul, observed butanoic acid in its impure form for the first time. Butanoic acid plays the role of a food acidity regulator. It is an ammonium salt and an acetate salt, which consists of four carbons.