Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Butyrins

Biochemistry, Chemistry & Physics

Also known as: Glycerol butyrates, Tributyrin

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

Butyrins are esters of glycerol and butyric acid, most notably tributyrin, which is found in cow's milk. Because they strongly lower the surface tension of water, butyrins are used to determine the activity of the fat-splitting enzyme lipase.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

BUTYRINS, esters of glycerol and butyric acid (see Glycerides). Depending on the number of butyric acid radicals combined with the glycerol molecule, mono-, di-, and tributyrin are distinguished. The best known is the latter—C3H5(O.CO.C3H7)3, found in butter: a liquid boiling at 195°, specific gravity 1.032. Butyrins strongly lower the surface tension of water. This property of butyrins is the basis for their use in determining the enzyme lipase (see), or esterase, which splits fats and other esters (see Tributyrin).

Cite this page

“Butyrins.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/butyrins/