Butyric acid appears as a colorless liquid with a penetrating and unpleasant odor. Flash point 170°F. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Density 8.0 lb /gal.Butyric Acid is a saturated short-chain fatty acid with a 4-carbon backbone. Butyric acid is commonly found in esterified form in animal fats and plant oils.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 straight-chain saturated fatty acid and a fatty acid 4:0. It is a conjugate acid of a butyrate.

Used in the preparation of flavors, pharmaceuticals and other organic chemicals.It is also used for deashing of leather and as a synthetic raw material for the preparation of other organic chemicals.