Butyric acid
CAS 107-92-6
EC 203-532-3
Formula C4H8O2
MW 88.11 g/mol
Organic Acids Food & NutritionAgriculture & FeedPersonal Care & CosmeticsPharmaceuticals & Healthcare pH Regulation & BufferingCatalysisPreservation & BiocideFlavoring & Acidulant
Description
Butyric acid (CAS 107-92-6, butanoic acid, FEMA 2221, NSC 8415) is a short-chain fatty acid occurring naturally in dairy fats and produced industrially via fermentation or oxidation of butyraldehyde. It carries no E-number designation in the EU but is recognised under FEMA for flavour applications.
In food and feed manufacturing, butyric acid functions as a flavourant at concentrations below 10 ppm, where it contributes characteristic dairy and cheese notes through direct esterification with alcohols. In animal nutrition, it acts as a gut acidifier and antimicrobial agent, lowering intestinal pH to inhibit pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.
Butyric acid is available in technical and food-grade forms, with food applications requiring FCC-compliant material. It falls under REACH regulation (EC 203-532-3, HS 2915 60 19) and is typically supplied in bulk liquid tankers or IBC containers. Pharmaceutical-grade material can be supplied to Ph.Eur. specification upon request.
In food and feed manufacturing, butyric acid functions as a flavourant at concentrations below 10 ppm, where it contributes characteristic dairy and cheese notes through direct esterification with alcohols. In animal nutrition, it acts as a gut acidifier and antimicrobial agent, lowering intestinal pH to inhibit pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.
Butyric acid is available in technical and food-grade forms, with food applications requiring FCC-compliant material. It falls under REACH regulation (EC 203-532-3, HS 2915 60 19) and is typically supplied in bulk liquid tankers or IBC containers. Pharmaceutical-grade material can be supplied to Ph.Eur. specification upon request.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | -7.9 °C |
| Boiling Point | 165.5 °C @ Press: 760 Torr |
| Density | 0.9577 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Flash Point | 170 °F |
| Appearance | Butyric acid is a combustible, oily liquid with an unpleasant odor. The Odor Threshold is 0.0001 ppm. |
| Color | Clear colorless |
| Odor | at 1.00 % in dipropylene glycol. sharp acetic cheese butter fruit |
| Form | Liquid |
| Water Solubility | MISCIBLE |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.43 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
| Refractive Index | n 20/D 1.398(lit.) |
| pH | 2.5 (100g/l, H2O, 20℃) |
| Log P | 1.1 at 25℃ |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Danger GHS05 GHS07 GHS06 GHS08
H
H227H302H311H314H318H371
P
P210P260P262P264P270P280P316P317P321P330P363P403P405P501P264+P265P301+P317P302+P352P304+P340P308+P316P361+P364P370+P378P301+P330+P331P302+P361+P354P305+P354+P338
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 2915 60 19 |
| UN Number | 2820 |
| ADR Class | 8 |
| Packing Group | III |
| Storage Class | 8A - Combustible corrosive hazardous materials |
| WGK (Germany) | 1 |
Other Names
butanoic acidHoney robberN-BUTYRIC ACIDN-BUTANIC ACID
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