| a colorless, oily, water-soluble liquid, C3H6O2, having a pungent odor: used in making bread-mold-inhibiting propionates, in perfumery, and in medicine as a topical fungicide. |
pro·pi·on·ic acid  (prō'pē-ŏn'ĭk)  n. A liquid fatty acid, CH3CH2COOH, found naturally in sweat, in milk products, and as a product of bacterial fermentation. Prepared synthetically from ethyl alcohol and carbon monoxide, it is used chiefly in the form of its propionates as a mold inhibitor in bread and as an ingredient in perfume. Also called propanoic acid. [Greek pro-, first; see pro-2 + Greek pīōn, fat (from the fact that it is first in order among the fatty acids); see peiə- in Indo-European roots + -ic.] |
propionic acid pro·pi·on·ic acid (prō'pē-ŏn'ĭk)
n.
A fatty acid found naturally in sweat and as a product of bacterial fermentation, used as a mold inhibitor in bread. Also called propanoic acid.
| propionic acid (prō'pē-ŏn'ĭk) Pronunciation Key
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: C3H6O2. |
