Ingredient Dictionary

BUTYRIC ACID

Butyric acid is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid that is butane in which one of the terminal methyl groups has been oxidised to a carboxy group.

Definition

Butyric acid is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid that is butane in which one of the terminal methyl groups has been oxidised to a carboxy group. It has a role as a Mycoplasma genitalium metabolite and a human urinary metabolite. It is a fatty acid 4:0 and a straight-chain saturated fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a butyrate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 40UIR9Q29H · registered name Butyric Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Listed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCE

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Names & identifiers

BUTYRIC ACIDINCI부티릭애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Butanoic acidSynonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 107-92-6
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-532-3
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID8021515
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID401515

IUPAC: Butanoic acid
Molecular formula: C4H8O2
Molecular weight: 88.106 g/mol

Measured properties

Colour: colourless
Melting/freezing point: -5 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 164 ℃
Flash point: 72 ℃(c.c.)
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 10 / 2 %
Vapour pressure: 57 ㎩ (20℃)
Water solubility: 6 g/100㎖ (25℃)
Vapour density: 3
Relative density: 0.964
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 0.79
Auto-ignition temperature: 452 ℃
Viscosity: 1.61 cP
Molecular weight: 88.12

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 22 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Fragrance8
Flavouring and nutrient6
pH regulating agent2
Plasticizer1
Monomers1
Processing aids not otherwise specified1
Intermediate1
Antioxidant1

1 other uses

Deodorizer1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

7 skin studies and 2 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 9 studies

Corrosive
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) 1981 according to
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 8.2C (Category 1C)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Corrosive
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: DOT test; 19 CFR, Chapter I, Sec. 173.40 according to
Skin Corr. 1B
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 1
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across