Isovaleric Acid
Isovaleric acid is a synonym of the 3-methylbutanoic acid. It is also so called as the isomer of valeric acid.
Isovaleric acid has a strong pungent cheesy or sweaty smell, but its volatile esters I low concentrations have pleasing scents and are used widely as fruity flavor and as essence in the perfumery industry. Olfactory detection is at very low concentration and is considered as malodorous substances based on the Offensive Odor Control Act.
“Odor intensity” between 2.5 to 3.5 with an olfactory noticing concentration of 0.001 to 0.01ppm.
It can be olfactory detected in concentration between 0.001 to 0.00005ppm.
Isovaleric acid’s odor is an offensive odor having an unpleasantness similar to cheese, sweat, feet, or foul breathe due to old age.
It is also a causative agent for feet odors.
It is poor water-soluble compound at 2.4g/100ml level. It is the lowest molecular weight carboxylic acid that dissolves better in non-polar solvents rather than polar solvents.
