Butyric Acid - Definition, Structure, Properties

Butyric Acid

Butyric acid is a carboxylic acid with the structural formula CH3CH2CH2-COOH. Butyrates are the name for butyric acid salts and esters. It smells bad, tastes bitter, and leaves a sweet aftertaste similar to ether. The acid is a colorless, oily solvent that can be saturated with salts like calcium chloride to distinguish it from an aqueous medium. It is miscible in water solution, ethanol, and ether. It may be oxidized by potassium dichromate, sulfuric acid, and alkaline potassium permanganate to produce carbon dioxide and acetic acid.

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This article will discuss what butyric acid is, physical properties, structure and uses.

What is Butyric Acid?

With a 4-carbon structure, butyric acid is a saturated short-chain fatty acid. Natural fats and vegetable fats typically include butyric acid in their esterified form. Butyric acid has the formula C4H8O2. The French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul discovered this acid in . It is also known as butanoic acid, which translates to &#;butter acid&#; because it was initially identified in stale butter. It is made by oxidizing n-butyl alcohol and fermenting starches.

Structure of Butyric Acid

Butyric acid, also known as butanoic acid, has the formula CH3CH2CH2COOH, where the functional group connected is -COOH.

Butter makes about 3%&#;4% of butyric acid. Butter releases its rancidity when glycerol is hydrolyzed. A typical carboxylic acid like butanoic acid often interacts with bases and targets different metals.

Butyric acid smells bad and has a buttery flavor. Canines and other mammals can recognize this at 10 ppb. Humans, in contrast, can only sense this acid at levels more than 10 ppm.

Physical Properties of Butyric Acid

The following are the important physical properties of Butyric acid:

• Butyric acid, also known as Butanoic acid is an oily, colorless liquid with a foul smell.
• Butyric acid&#;s formula is C4H8O2.
• This acid is soluble in water, ether and ethanol.
• It melts at 437 Kelvin.
• The boiling point of Butyric acid is 268 Kelvin.
• It has a liquid density of 1.135 g/cm3.

Chemical Properties of Butyric Acid

When butyric acid interacts with sodium hydroxide, it creates the sodium salt of butanoic acid, which also contains water and carbon dioxide

20NaOH + 21C4H8O2 &#; 20 NaC4H6O + 4CO2 + 34H2O

After the acid is treated with water, ether and acetic acid are produced. The following is the chemical formula for this.

H2O + C4H8O2 &#; CH3COOH + C2H6O

Production of Butyric Acid

Although the acid is not extensively distributed in nature, its esters are. It is a typical commercial chemical and a crucial part of the mammalian gastrointestinal system. It may be found in cow, human milk, dairy products like milk and cheese, body odor, plant and animal fats, and a byproduct of anaerobic fermentation. It is also found in the colon.

Industrial Production

In the industrial setting, butyric acid is made from propene and syngas by hydroformylation, resulting in butyraldehyde, which is then oxidized to the finished product.

H2 + CO + CH3CH=CH2 &#; CH3CH2CH2CHO &#; butyric acid

It may be removed from aqueous solutions by saturating it with salts like calcium chloride. Compared to cold water, the calcium salt, Ca(C4H7O2)2H2O, is not easily dissolvable in hot water.

Synthesis by Microbes

Numerous fermentation processes carried out by necessary anaerobic bacteria result in the production of butyrate. Louis Pasteur made this fermentation route public in . Examples of bacteria types that produce butyrate include:

• Clostridium butyricum
• Eubacterium limosum
• Clostridium kluyveri
• Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
• Clostridium pasteurianum
• Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens
• Fusobacterium nucleatum

As in many species, the glycolytic breakdown of glucose into two pyruvate molecules initiates the route. Acetyl coenzyme A is produced by oxidizing pyruvate. As byproducts, two molecules of hydrogen (H2) and two molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2) are produced. The last stage of the fermentation then results in the production of ATP. For every molecule of glucose, three molecules of ATP are created, which is a comparatively high yield. The fermentation&#;s adjusted chemical equation is:

C6H12O6 &#; C4H8O2 + 2 CO2 + 2 H2

Uses of Butyric Acid

• Numerous crucial uses for butyric acid may be found in the chemical, food, and medicinal sectors.
• The chemical industry uses butyric acid extensively to create thermoplastics such as cellulose acetate butyrate.
• Other esters, such as glycerol tributyrate, are crucial in creating plastics.
• Butyric acid gives buttery overtones to food tastes, and its esters are frequently used as food preservatives to boost fruit aroma.
• Butyric acid, a type of short-chain fatty acid produced by microbial degradation of food fibers in the colon, is a primary generator of energy for the human body and a known colorectal cancer inhibitor.
• Its biological properties, which include therapeutic benefits for gastrointestinal disorders and cancer, have been extensively researched.

What is Butyric Acid&#;s Use in Different Industries?

Chemical Industry

• The principal usage of butyric acid is as a source in the synthesis of the copolymer cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), which exhibits good performance with regards to organic solvent dissolution thanks to improved flexibility and resilience to light and cold.
• For improved heat and light tolerance, butyric acid can be added directly to plastic products and textile fibers.
• Butanol synthesis as a biofuel can also be improved by using butyric acid.

Perfume Industry

• Esters of butyric acid, including methyl, ethyl, and amyl butyrate, are utilized as aromatic compounds for perfume manufacture and as additions to improve fruit scent.
• It helps keeps the electrolyte balance in fragrances and acts as a bactericide.

Medicinal Purposes

• Butyrate protects the cells from harmful chemicals to maintain a healthy, disease-free stomach. The colon serves as a repository for waste materials. Increased antioxidant levels caused by butyrate have been found to reduce the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Since it inhibits the development of colorectal tumor cells, research has shown that butyric acid can both prevent and cure colon cancer.
• It can also be used in anti anxiety medication.

Animal Industry

• As an agent in the animal feed field, it provides energy and promotes sodium and water absorption.
• It maintains the gastrointestinal health of the animal and prevents diseases.
• Butyric acid promotes the proliferation of the epithelium.

Butyric Acid Safety Information

Butyric acid is a component in human excreta, skin, breath, and spit and is essential to functioning human metabolism. It is a normal occurrence in all dairy products, such as butter. Corrosion can occur when liquid butyric acid comes into contact with the skin or eyes. It is a combustible liquid that may seriously burn your skin and harm your eyes. Additionally, it has long-lasting negative impacts on aquatic life.

Precautions to be taken are:

• To prevent issues, read the label carefully before using it.
• Avoid inhaling the gas&#;s particles, mists, or vapors.
• After handling, properly wash your skin.
• Put on the appropriate eye and face masks, gloves, and clothes.
• Due to its extreme combustibility, maintain butyric acid away from fires and sources of heat.
• Refrain from releasing acid into the atmosphere.

In case of accidental contact:

• Eye contact: If the acid accidentally comes into touch with your eyes, immediately flush them out with lots of water for at least 30 minutes while elevating both your top and lower eyelids. If wearing contacts, take them out. Immediately contact a physician.
• Skin contact: Quickly take off any contaminated clothes after skin contact. Wash the skin with plenty of water right away.
• Inhalation: Remove the individual from the exposure if they inhale. Start CPR if the heart has stopped beating and rescue breathing if the breathing has ceased.

Conclusion

One of the healthiest short-chain fatty acids, butyric acid is essential for improving digestive health, reducing inflammation, protecting the brain, controlling weight, and preventing cancer. The body&#;s intestinal bacteria convert meals you can&#;t absorb into butyrate, which has various positive health effects. Adding more fiber to your meals can encourage your intestinal flora to produce more butyric acid.

The chemical, agricultural, medical, perfume, and animal feed sectors all use butyric acid and its compounds extensively. Although butyric acid alone smells bad, it is frequently employed as a pure acid to amplify aromas that resemble butter in flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions about Butyric Acid

Q1. What foods are a source of butanoic acid?

Answer: The following foods contain butanoic acid:

• Butanoic acid is present in ghee, oil, and butter at 3&#;4%.
• Dairy foods, including milk, cheese, and yogurt, frequently include it.
• Bananas, berries, grapes, avocados, apricots, and other fresh fruits that possess fiber are rich in them.
• It is also present in beans and lentils.

Q2. What is the process of preparing Butyric acid?

Answer: Butyraldehyde oxidation is used to produce butyric acid in large factories. It may be segregated from the water solution by saturation with salts like calcium chloride. The calcium salt, Ca(C4H7O2)2.H2O, dissolves considerably slower in hot water than in the cold.

Q3. What type of compound is butyric acid?

Answer: With a 4-carbon structure, butyric acid is a short-chain saturated fatty acid. Animal fats and plant oils typically include butyric acid in its esterified form. Butane has had one of its distal methyl compounds converted to a carboxyl group, resulting in butyric acid, a straight-chain saturated fatty acid.

Butyric acid is a vital fatty acid produced when the good bacteria in the gut break down dietary fibre. It is naturally found in animal fats and vegetable oils, however, the quantity of butyric acid found in food sources is less compared to the amount produced in the gut.

What is Butyric Acid?

Butyric acid is known as a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), which is one among the three most common SCFA&#;s in the gut, along with acetic acid and propionic acid. These saturated fatty acids comprise about 90-95 % of the SCFAs in the gut that is produced when gut-friendly bacteria break down dietary fibre. Butyric acid is well-known to support digestive health, reduce inflammation and lowers the risk of diseases and promote overall health. It holds a significant role in providing colon cells with the needed energy to carry out its normal functions and also regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It goes by other names such as butyrate and butanoic acid.

Incredible Health Benefits Of Butyric Acids

Fuels Gut

Butyric acid serves as a chief source of energy for colon cells, which make up the lining of the intestine. While most of the body cells utilise glucose as the main source of energy, the colon cells lining gut chiefly use butyrate, without butyrate these cells are unable to perform normal functions. The short-chain fatty acids offer an oxygen-free environment that supports the growth of gut microbes that controls inflammation and maintain gut cells healthy.

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Also Read: Prebiotics: 5 Awesome Foods That Uphold Gut Health-Infographic

Potent Antioxidant Effects

Butyrate guards the cells against detrimental substances to keep gut healthy and disease-free. A colon is a storage place of the waster products. Higher levels of butyrate have shown to increase levels of glutathione, an antioxidants made in the system which neutralises free radicals in the gut. This improves the barrier function of the colonocytes and lowers the risk of bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Prevents Cancer

Regular intake of high fibre diet increases the amount of butyric acid produced in the gut which is well-known to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Studies have proven that butyric acid is a potential to prevent and treat colon cancer by blocking the growth of colorectal tumour cells. Moreover, it also leads to apoptosis that stops the growth of cancer cells completely.

Manages Diabetes

Studies show that butyrate stimulates the secretion of gut hormones such as glucagon &#;like-peptide -1(GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY).GLP-1 hormones increase insulin secretion and lower the production of glucagon in the pancreas. While the PYY hormones promote the uptake of glucose in muscles and fatty tissue. Thus the presence of butyric acid increases the secretion of gut hormones that regulate type 2 diabetes and control weight

Boosts Brain Health

Butyric acid plays a key role in promoting neuroprotective effects that trigger brain and nervous system function. Butyrate targets several pathways linked with the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson&#;s, Alzheimer&#;s stroke and autism. A diet abundant in butyric acid is an effective way to improve disease outcomes and uplift overall health.

Food Sources Rich In Butyric Acid

Generally, most of the butyric acid in the body is made from the gut bacteria. While some amount of butyric acid is also found naturally in food sources which include:

Ghee

Cow&#;s milk

Butter

Sheep&#;s milk

Breast milk

Parmesan cheese

Red meat

Vegetable oils

Sauerkraut

Butter is one of the richest sources of butyric acid. It is also available in the form of dietary supplement as sodium butyrate. However, increasing the intake of dietary fibre can also help to boost butyric acid level in the gut. The gut bacteria chiefly feed on resistant starches which the body can&#;t break down. Some of the good sources of resistant starches, pectin found in many fruits and inulin.

Also Read: Dietary Fibre And Its Role In Preventing Chronic Diseases

 Garlic

Onions

Asparagus

Potatoes

Bananas

Apples

Apricots

Carrots

Oat bran

Conclusion:

Butyric acid is one of the most beneficial short-chain fatty acids that play a key role in uplifting digestive health, reduces inflammation, protects the brain, manages weight and prevent cancer. The gut bacteria in the body make butyrate from the foods you can&#;t digest, which renders the body with a host of health benefits. Enriching your diet with fibre will help to elevate the butyric acid production by the gut flora.

Disclaimer:

Butyric acid is one of the most beneficial short-chain fatty acids that play a key role in uplifting digestive health, reduces inflammation, protects the brain, manages weight and prevent cancer. The gut bacteria in the body make butyrate from the foods you can&#;t digest, which renders the body with a host of health benefits. Enriching your diet with fibre will help to elevate the butyric acid production by the gut flora.

The content provided here is for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance does not endorse or recommend any specific tests, physicians, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the blog.

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