Propionic acid CAS 79-09-4

What is Propionic acid CAS 79-09-4?

Propionic acid CAS 79-09-4 is a simple carboxylic acid produced both synthetically (via hydrocarboxylation of ethylene or other petrochemical routes) and biotechnologically (through fermentation using propionibacteria), occurring naturally in trace amounts in dairy products and various foods, and functioning primarily as an effective preservative, antimicrobial agent, and chemical intermediate across multiple sectors.

Specifications

Features

• Strong Mold Inhibition: Highly effective against fungi and molds by penetrating microbial cell membranes in its undissociated form, disrupting internal pH balance, and inhibiting growth, making it especially valuable for long-term storage of perishable materials.
• Broad Antimicrobial Spectrum: Exhibits reliable activity against bacteria, yeasts, and fungi at low concentrations, with fungistatic action that prevents spoilage without necessarily killing microbes outright, ideal for preservation in acidic environments.
• pH-Dependent Efficacy: Releases active undissociated acid in low-pH conditions (as in foods or when converted to salts), enhancing targeted antimicrobial performance while maintaining safety in regulated applications.
• Versatile Chemical Intermediate: Serves as a reactive building block for synthesizing propionates (salts), esters, cellulose derivatives, and other specialty compounds through straightforward esterification, neutralization, or polymerization reactions.
• Natural Occurrence & GRAS Status: Found in small quantities in cheeses, dairy, and fermented foods, supporting its classification as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by regulatory bodies for use in food and feed with good manufacturing practices.

Applications

• Food Preservation: Used directly or as salts (calcium/sodium propionate) to inhibit mold growth in baked goods like bread, cheese, tortillas, and processed foods, extending shelf life while complying with limits (e.g., up to 0.3% in flour products) and serving as a flavoring agent with acidic, dairy-like notes.
• Animal Feed & Grain Preservation: Applied as a mold inhibitor and antimicrobial in stored grains, silage, hay, and formulated feeds to prevent spoilage, maintain nutritional quality, and reduce mycotoxin risks during long-term storage or transport.
• Flavor & Fragrance Synthesis: Employed in manufacturing artificial fruit flavors, perfume bases, and esters for enhanced dairy, cheesy, or fruity profiles in food products and cosmetic fragrances.
• Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Uses: Functions as an antifungal agent in topical/oral formulations, pH adjuster, and preservative in personal care products, leveraging its mild antimicrobial action at low concentrations.
• Industrial & Chemical Production: Acts as a key intermediate for producing cellulose propionate plastics, herbicides, electroplating additives, pesticide intermediates, solvents, plasticizers, and rubber chemicals.

Packaging

Mikem offers flexible packaging options, including 25 kg of fiber drums for liquid products and 15–25 kg PP/PE bags for powder products, all customizable to meet your specific needs.