Propionic Acid
- CAS Number: 79-09-4
- Chemical Formula: C3H6O2
- MOQ: 1000KG
- Shelf Life: 2 years
- Types: Liquid, Crystalline
- Synonyms: Propanoic acid, Ethylformic acid, 2-Propanoic acid
Product Description
What Is Propionic Acid?
Propionic Acid is commonly used as a preservative in food and animal feed, as well as in the production of various chemicals such as plasticizers, herbicides, and pharmaceuticals.
Propionic acid can be produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates, typically from sugars like glucose or sucrose, using specific strains of bacteria like Propionibacterium species.
Another method of production involves the reaction of ethylene or ethanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst, known as the Reppe synthesis. The propionic acid obtained can undergo further purification and refinement for use in various industrial applications.
Related Parameters:
| Items | Standards |
| Propionic Acid Content, w/% ≥ | 99.5 |
| Density（20/20℃） | 0.993-0.997 |
| Boiling Range/℃ | 138.5-142.5 |
| Evaporation residue,w/% ≤ | 0.01 |
| Water,w/% ≤ | 0.15 |
| Aldehyde (based onpropionaldehyde),w/% ≤ | ≤0.05 |
| easy oxidization (based on propionaldehyde),w/% ≤ | ≤0.05 |
| Pb mg/kg ≤ | 2.0 |
| As mg/kg ≤ | 3.0 |
Recommended Dosage of Propionic Acid:
| Applications | Dosage |
| Food Preservative | 0.1% – 0.3% (in food) |
| Animal Feed Preservative | 0.2% – 0.5% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 1% – 5% (in specific formulations) |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 10% – 30% |
| Herbicides and Pesticides | 5% – 15% |
Propionic Acid Has Wide Range of Uses:
- Food and Beverage Industry: Primarily used as a preservative to inhibit mold and bacteria growth in food products like bread, cheese, and meat.
- Agriculture: Serves as a herbicide, fungicide, and feed preservative. Also used to make silage preservatives for animal feed.
- Chemical Industry: In the chemical industry, propionic acid serves as an essential precursor for manufacturing plasticizers, herbicides, and pesticides.
- Pharmaceuticals: Utilized in the synthesis of certain drugs and as a raw material in the production of pharmaceuticals with antifungal properties.
User Asked Question:
Q: What constitutes the distinction between Propionic Acid and Acetic Acid?
A: Propionic acid is primarily used as a preservative in food and animal feed, while acetic acid is widely used in food as vinegar, as well as in industrial processes. Propionic acid has a milder acidity and is more effective in preventing mold growth, whereas acetic acid is stronger and commonly used for its acidulant properties.
| Property | Propionic Acid | Acetic Acid |
| Primary Use | Food and animal feed preservative | Food (vinegar), industrial processes |
| Acidity | Milder acidity | Stronger acidity |
| Effectiveness | More effective in preventing mold growth | Effective as an acidulant and flavoring agent |
| Common Applications | Food preservation, animal feed, industrial uses | Food production, chemical synthesis, cleaning agents |
| Strength | Weaker compared to acetic acid | Stronger, often used in larger concentrations |
