- Physical and chemical properties of butyric acid
- Reactivity and hazards
- Uses and health benefits
- References
The butyric acid, also known as n-butanoic acid (in the IUPAC system), is a carboxylic acid having the structural formula CH3CH2CH2-COOH. It is classified as a short chain fatty acid. It has an unpleasant odor, pungent taste and at the same time somewhat sweet (similar to ether). Its structure is illustrated in figure 1.
It is especially found in rancid butter, Parmesan cheese, raw milk, animal fats, vegetable oils, and vomit. Its name is derived from the Greek word βουτυρος, which means "butter" (contributors, 2016).
Figure 1: structure of butyric acid.
Butyric acid is formed in the human colon by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates (including dietary fiber), and is supposed to suppress colorectal cancer.
Butyric acid is a fatty acid that occurs in the form of esters in animal fats and vegetable oils. Interestingly, low molecular weight esters of butyric acid, such as methyl butyrate, have mostly pleasant aromas or flavors (the metabolomic innovation center, SF).
Physical and chemical properties of butyric acid
Butyric Acid is a colorless liquid with an unpleasant, rancid butter odor. It also has a certain buttery taste.
It has a molecular weight of 88.11 g / mol and a density of 0.9528 g / ml at room temperature. Its melting point is -5.1 ° C and its boiling point is 163.75 ° C.
The compound is soluble in water, ethanol, and ether. It is slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride. It is a weak acid, which means that it does not dissociate completely, its pKa is 4.82 (National Center for Biotechnology Information, SF).
One isomer, 2-methylpropanoic (isobutyric) acid, (CH3) 2CHCO2H, is found both in the free state and in its ethyl ester in a few vegetable oils. Although it is commercially less important than butyric acid (Brown, 2011).
Butyric acid can react with oxidizing agents. Incandescent reactions occur with chromium trioxide above 100 ° C. They are also incompatible with bases and reducing agents. It can attack aluminum and other light metals (BUTYRIC ACID, 2016).
Reactivity and hazards
Butyric acid is considered a flammable compound. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, aluminum and most other common metals, alkalis, reducing agents (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015).
The compound is very dangerous in case of contact with the skin (can cause burns), in case of ingestion, contact with the eyes (irritant) and inhalation (can cause severe irritation of the respiratory tract).
The liquid or mist from the aerosol can produce tissue damage particularly in the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth and respiratory tract.
The substance is toxic to the lungs, the nervous system, the mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can cause damage to these organs as well as irritation of the respiratory tract that leads to frequent bouts of bronchial infection (Material Safety Data Sheet Butyric acid, 2013).
In case of contact with the eyes, check if the victim has contact lenses and remove them. The victim's eyes should be flushed with water or normal saline for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital.
In case of skin contact, the affected area should be submerged in water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. All affected skin areas are gently washed with soap and water. Medical attention must be obtained.
In case of inhalation, leave the contaminated area to a cool place. If symptoms develop (such as wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest), call a doctor.
In case of ingestion, vomiting should not be induced. If the victim is conscious and not having seizures, 1 or 2 glasses of water should be given to dilute the chemical and a hospital or poison control center should be called.
If the victim is convulsed or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, make sure the victim's airway is open, and place the victim on their side with the head lower than the body. Immediate medical attention should be obtained.
Uses and health benefits
Low molecular weight esters of butyric acid, such as methyl butyrate, have a generally pleasant odor and taste. Because of this, they find use as food and perfume additives.
Butyrate, the conjugate base of butyric acid, can be found naturally in many foods. It can also be added as a supplement or flavoring agent in others.
Butyric acid esters or butyrates are used to make artificial flavors and essences of vegetable oil. Amyl butyrate is a main ingredient in apricot oil, while methyl butyrate can be found in pineapple oil.
In addition to being used as a flavoring agent, pineapple oil is also used to promote bone growth, cure dental surgeries, and treat colds, sore throats, and acute sinusitis, according to the natural products manufacturer OCA Brasil (PULUGURTHA, 2015).
Bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract can produce significant amounts of fermenting butyrate, dietary fiber, and indigestible carbohydrates. Eating high-fiber foods like barley, oatmeal, brown rice, and bran are a healthy way to get butyrate into your body.
A study published in the November 2010 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition" indicates that an evening cereal meal rich in indigestible carbohydrates could increase plasma butyrate concentration the following morning.
He adds that this could be the mechanism by which the whole grain helps prevent diabetes and heart disease.
Butyric acid, as butyrate, is formed in the human colon as a product of fiber fermentation, and this is suggested as a factor that explains why high fiber diets are protective in preventing colon cancer.
Several hypotheses have been investigated about the possible mechanism of this relationship, including whether butyrate is important for maintaining normal phenotypic expression of epithelial cells, or for enhancing the elimination of damaged cells through apoptosis.
Other benefits of butyric acid or butyrate are:
- Helps with weight loss.
- Relieves irritated colon syndrome (Andrzej Załęski, 2013).
- Treatment of Crohn's disease (Ax, SF).
- Fight insulin resistance.
- It has anti-inflammatory effects.
References
- Andrzej Załęski, AB (2013). Butyric acid in irritable bowel syndrome. Przegla̜d Gastroenterologiczny, 350–353. Recovered from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Ax, J. (SF). What Is Butyric Acid? 6 Butyric Acid Benefits You Need to Know About. Recovered from draxe: draxe.com.
- Brown, WH (2011, December 2). Butyric acid (CH3CH2CH2CO2H). Retrieved from encyclopedia britannica: Recovered from britannica.com.
- BUTYRIC ACID. (2016). Recovered from cameochemicals: cameochemicals.noaa.gov.
- contributors, NW (2016, December 22). Butyric acid. Retrieved from New World Encyclopedia: Recovered from newworldencyclopedia.org.
- Material Safety Data Sheet Butyric acid. (2013, May 21). Recovered from sciencelab: sciencelab.com.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (SF). PubChem Compound Database; CID = 264. Retrieved from PubChem: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- PULUGURTHA, S. (2015, June 1). What Foods Are High in Butyrate? Recovered from livestrong: livestrong.com.
- Royal Society of Chemistry. (2015). Butanoic acid. Recovered from chemspider: chemspider.com.
- the metabolomic inovation center. (SF). Human metabolome database Showing metabocard for Butyric acid. Retrieved from hmdb.ca: hmdb.ca.