79-09-4 | Propionic acid (C₃H₆O₂)

Chemical type

• Short-chain carboxylic acid (C₃) from biomass pyrolysis bio-oil

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• Chemical preservative / Additive

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Key properties

• Abundant in lignocellulosic pyrolysis bio-oils (mainly C₁–C₃ acids)
• Low carbon number, unsuitable for direct use as gasoline or aviation fuel
• Undergoes ketonisation (C–C coupling) with deoxygenation (loss of CO₂ and H₂O)

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• Strong antimicrobial agent (effective against molds, yeasts, and undesirable bacteria like Clostridium and Enterobacter)
• Antimitotic effect (inhibits microbial growth)
• Can act as a fungicide and bactericide in forage preservation

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• Model compound for bio-oil upgrading studies
• Starting material for self-ketonisation to 3-pentanone (biofuel precursor)
• Tested in 50:50 mixtures with real pyrolysis bio-oil to simulate industrial upgrading

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• Treatment for bermudagrass silage (applied at 0.5% and 1.0% of forage fresh weight)
• Improves silage preservation and aerobic stability
• Suppresses proteolytic bacteria, leading to higher crude protein preservation
• Reduces butyric acid and ammonia-N concentrations in silage

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Classification by use

• Biomass-derived feedstocks
• Intermediates for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production

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• Chemicals used in agriculture (forage preservation)
• Feed additives / Silage additives

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A trustworthy factory and manufacturer

1. [Cite:1] Dataset on the ketonisation of pure propionic acid and its mixture with pyrolysis bio-oil over metal oxide catalysts into 3-pentanone a biofuel precursor, Data in Brief, Volume 61, August 2025, 111898
2. [Cite:2] Nutritive value and fermentation characteristics of bermudagrass silage treated with propionic acid and microbial inoculant, Applied Animal Science, Volume 42, Issue 1, February 2026, Pages 9-18