Usee

Isobutyl butyrate is a metabolite of Rifampicin, a Rifamycin antibiotic.

Preparation

By esterification of butyric acid with isobutyl alcohol in the presence of concentrated H2SO4, or by enzymatic action of hog pancreas on a mixture of isobutyl alcohol and butyric acid in the absence of water.

Synthesis Reference(s)

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 56, p. 5307, 1991 DOI: 10.1021/jo00018a019

Safety Profile

Mdly toxic by ingestion and intraduodenal routes. A skin irritant. See also ESTERS. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Definition

ChEBI: A butyrate ester resulting from the formal condensation of butanoic acid with isobutanol. It is used as a food flavour ingredient for apple, banana, peach and pinapple flavours in ice cream and confectionery.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 20 ppm: sweet, fruity, pineapple, apple, bubble gum and tutti-frutti. Natural occurrence: Reported found in apricot, banana, apple, strawberry, blue and Gruyere cheeses, cognac, port wine, rum, honey, olive, passion fruit, plum, beans, mushrooms, mango, apple brandy, quince, cherimoya, kiwifruit and Chinese quince pee

General Description

Isobutyl butyrate is an aliphatic ester that can be used as a food flavoring agent. It is one of the volatile flavor compounds produced in ripening bananas.