butyric acid

views updated May 29 2018

butyric acid A short‐chain saturated fatty acid (C4 : 0). It occurs as the triacylglycerol in 5–6% of butter fat, and in small amounts in other fats and oils. Also formed by intestinal bacterial fermentation of resistant starch, when it is possibly protective against the development of colo‐rectal cancer.

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition DAVID A. BENDER

butyric

views updated May 09 2018

butyric (butyric acid, found in rancid butter) XIX. f. L. būtȳrum BUTTER + -IC.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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butyric acid

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