propionic acid

American  

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a colorless, oily, water-soluble liquid, C 3 H 6 O 2 , having a pungent odor: used in making bread-mold-inhibiting propionates, in perfumery, and in medicine as a topical fungicide.

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propionic acid British  

/ ˌprəʊpɪˈɒnɪk /

noun

1. the former name for propanoic acid

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propionic acid Scientific  

/ prō′pē-ŏn′ĭk /

1. A liquid fatty acid found naturally in sweat and milk products and as a product of bacterial fermentation. It is also prepared synthetically from ethanol and carbon monoxide, and is used chiefly in the form of its propionates as a mold inhibitor in bread and as an ingredient in perfume. Chemical formula: C ₃ H ₆ O ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of propionic acid

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

propionic acid

This bacterium produces propionic acid, a compound associated with anti-inflammatory properties, reduced cholesterol synthesis, and appetite regulation.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

Clostridia bacterial pathogens, for instance, generate propionic acid in the gut — a short-chain fatty acid known to disrupt the production of neurotransmitters.

From Nature ● Jan. 28, 2020

This compound can be prepared by the reaction of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, with propionic acid, C2H5CO2H, which has properties similar to those of acetic acid.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

Vinegar will replace propionic acid, a preservative in its turkey. Banana peppers will be given their fluorescent sheen with turmeric, often used in Indian curries, instead of Yellow No. 5.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 4, 2015

Description: The product of various herbs known for their high percentage of propionic acid; applied in case of catarrh in the form of atomized steam.

From Valere Aude Dare to Be Healthy, Or, The Light of Physical Regeneration by Louis Dechmann