Tributyrin
Tributyrin, also known as glyceryl tributyrate or butyrin, is a naturally occurring triglyceride composed of one glycerol molecule esterified with three molecules of butyric acid, with the chemical formula C₁₅H₂₆O₆ and a molecular weight of 302.36 g/mol.[1] It appears as a clear, colorless to yellow liquid at room temperature, with a melting point of -75 °C, a boiling point of 305 °C, and a density of 1.0335 g/cm³, and it is insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol and ether.[1] Found in dairy products such as butter, where it contributes to the characteristic flavor, tributyrin serves as a stable prodrug for butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid that is released through enzymatic hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract.[2][3] As a prodrug, tributyrin offers improved bioavailability and pharmacokinetics compared to free butyric acid, enabling systemic delivery of butyrate, which acts as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor with potential anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and gut health-promoting effects.[4] In medical research, it has been investigated in clinical trials for conditions including solid tumors, prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, optic neuropathies, and hematopoietic cell transplantation, where it activates caspase-3 to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and supports mitochondrial function.[5] Beyond therapeutics, tributyrin functions as a flavoring agent in foods like baked goods, beverages, and dairy products, approved by regulatory bodies for safe use in limited concentrations.[1][6] In nutrition and aquaculture, tributyrin supplementation enhances growth performance, feed efficiency, intestinal barrier integrity, antioxidant capacity, and immune responses in fish and crustaceans, particularly when counteracting the inflammatory effects of plant-based diets.[7] Hydrolyzed by pancreatic lipases, it provides butyrate directly to intestinal cells, modulating gut microbiota and reducing inflammation without the volatility or odor associated with free butyric acid.[7] While generally of low toxicity via ingestion, tributyrin is combustible and incompatible with strong oxidizers, requiring careful handling in industrial applications.[1]Chemistry
Molecular structure
Tributyrin is a triglyceride composed of glycerol esterified with three molecules of butanoic acid, a short-chain saturated fatty acid denoted as C4:0.[8] Its chemical formula is C<sub>15</sub>H<sub>26</sub>O<sub>6</sub>, and its systematic IUPAC name is 1,3-bis(butanoyloxy)propan-2-yl butanoate, also known as glyceryl tributyrate or 1,2,3-propanetriyl tributanoate.[8][5] The molecular structure features a central glycerol backbone, where the three hydroxyl groups of propane-1,2,3-triol are linked via ester bonds to the carboxyl groups of three butanoic acid molecules (CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>COOH). This results in a triacylglycerol with the general form:This symmetric arrangement distinguishes tributyrin as the fully esterified form, unlike monobutyrin (one ester bond) or dibutyrin (two ester bonds), which retain free hydroxyl groups on the glycerol moiety and thus exhibit partial esterification.[8][9] The molecular weight of tributyrin is 302.37 g/mol.[8]CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>COO-CH<sub>2</sub> | CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>COO-CH | CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>COO-CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>COO-CH<sub>2</sub> | CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>COO-CH | CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>COO-CH<sub>2</sub>