Isovaleric acid — Reference Materials for Reliable Quantification
Isovaleric acid — High-Purity Reference Materials for CONFIDENT Results
Secure precise, reproducible quantification with HPC Standards GmbH’s Isovaleric acid (3‑methylbutanoic acid) reference materials. Trusted by food, flavor, environmental, and industrial hygiene labs, our high-purity standards are delivered as neat materials or ready-to-use solutions with full CoA documentation (purity, identity, uncertainty, stability). Benefit from matrix-appropriate calibration support, optional isotope-labelled derivatives, and custom concentrations or multi-analyte mixes. Tested to international quality requirements, our materials help your lab meet regulatory limits with confidence—batch after batch.
Product | Catalog No./ CAS No. | Quantity | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ISO 17034 Reference Material |  | 687513 | 1X100MG | Please log in. |
ISO 17034 Reference Material |  | 682865 | 1X1000MG | Please log in. |
HPC Standards GmbH provides high-purity reference materials for Isovaleric acid (3-methylbutanoic acid) to support precise identification and quantification in food, flavor, environmental, and industrial hygiene analysis. Our materials are tested to international quality requirements and supplied with comprehensive documentation for regulatory compliance.
Overview
Isovaleric acid (also known as 3-methylbutanoic acid or isopentanoic acid) is a branched short-chain carboxylic acid with a pungent, cheesy odor. It occurs naturally in fermented foods and biological systems and is widely used in flavor and fragrance manufacturing and as a chemical intermediate.
Chemical formula: C5H10O2; Molecular weight: ~102.13 g/mol; CAS: 503-74-2.
Chemical Identity and Properties
Synonyms: 3-methylbutanoic acid; isopentanoic acid; β-methylbutyric acid.
Physical state: colorless to pale-yellow liquid with strong odor; density ~0.93 g/mL (20 °C); boiling point ~175–178 °C; melting point ~−29 to −37 °C; flash point ~≥70 °C (closed cup, combustible); pKa ~4.8.
Solubility: moderate in water; miscible with many organic solvents. Log Kow ~1 (low bioaccumulation potential); vapor pressure low to moderate at ambient temperature.
Occurrence and Sources
Natural occurrence in cheeses, fermented foods, beverages, and as a human/mammalian odor component. Formed by microbial metabolism (e.g., leucine catabolism) in food matrices and environmental samples (wastewater, fermentation, compost, silage).
Anthropogenic sources include flavor and fragrance manufacturing, ester production, and use as an intermediate in specialty chemicals.
Uses and Applications
- Flavor and fragrance ingredient (and precursor for fruity esters).
- Intermediate for pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals.
- Process marker in fermentation control, wastewater monitoring, and odor management.
- Analytical reference for method development in food authenticity, sensory off-odor investigations, and environmental VOC surveillance.
Regulatory Status
- EU/REACH: typically manufactured/imported substances must comply with REACH; classification and labeling per CLP.
- Flavor use: generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use as a flavoring substance within applicable limits; subject to regional flavor regulations (e.g., EU Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008).
- Workplace: manage according to chemical safety regulations; check national OELs where established and supplier SDS for GHS classification.
- Transport: may be shipped as a corrosive organic liquid depending on concentration and classification; consult SDS and transport rules (ADR/RID/IMDG/IATA).
Monitoring and Analytical Methods
- GC-FID/GC-MS: direct injection for suitable matrices; commonly with derivatization (e.g., methylation or PFB ester) to improve volatility and sensitivity.
- Headspace/HS-SPME GC-MS: effective for trace-level odor monitoring in air, packaging, and food aroma analysis.
- LC-MS/MS (negative ESI): via derivatization (e.g., 3-nitrophenylhydrazine or other carbonyl/acid-activating reagents) for aqueous matrices and complex foods.
- Olfactometry/GC-O for sensory correlation in odor investigations.
Sample Preparation and Derivatization
- Aqueous/food matrices: salting-out and liquid–liquid extraction; microextraction (SPME/MEPS) for volatile fractions.
- Derivatization options: methyl/ethyl esters (acid-catalyzed), pentafluorobenzyl esters for GC-ECD/GC-MS sensitivity; carbodiimide- or NHS-based activation for LC-MS workflows.
- Air monitoring: sorbent tube sampling (e.g., Tenax) with thermal desorption GC-MS; or on-fiber SPME.
Matrices and Typical Applications
- Food and beverages: cheese, fermented dairy, beer/wine, plant-based ferments, fermented meats.
- Environmental/industrial: wastewater, sludge, composting/biogas plants, odor emissions from process vents and waste handling.
- Biological/forensic: sweat odor profiling and microbiome-related studies.
Health Impact — Human Toxicity
Primary hazards: corrosive/irritant to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; strong odor can cause discomfort and headaches at elevated vapor levels. Low acute systemic toxicity relative to corrosivity; ingestion causes gastrointestinal irritation.
Exposure routes: inhalation of vapors/aerosols, dermal/ocular contact, ingestion. Implement engineering controls to minimize inhalation and contact.
Refer to the SDS for authoritative GHS classification, first aid, and specific medical guidance.
Environmental Impact — Fate and Effects on Wildlife
Readily biodegradable with low potential for bioaccumulation. In surface waters and soils, rapid microbial degradation is expected.
At elevated concentrations, may be toxic to aquatic organisms and can cause odor nuisance; avoid uncontrolled releases to water and air.
Safety Measures
- Engineering controls: use in a fume hood or well-ventilated area with local exhaust.
- PPE: chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles/face shield, lab coat; consider respirator per risk assessment.
- Storage: tightly closed in compatible containers, cool (e.g., 2–8 °C), dry, and well ventilated; segregate from bases, oxidizers, and reactive metals.
- Spill/response: contain, neutralize cautiously, absorb with inert material; prevent entry to drains; dispose according to regulations.
Quality Assurance and Calibration
Accurate quantification requires matrix-appropriate calibration strategies: external, internal (e.g., structurally related analogs or isotope-labeled analogs where available), and matrix-matched calibration for complex samples.
Method validation parameters: selectivity, linearity, LoD/LoQ, accuracy, precision, recovery, carryover, and stability. Include routine QC checks (blanks, CCVs, spikes, duplicates) to ensure data integrity.
Reference Materials from HPC Standards
HPC Standards GmbH supplies Isovaleric acid reference materials for targeted and non-targeted analyses in food, environmental, and industrial applications.
- Formats: neat material and ready-to-use solutions (e.g., in methanol or acetonitrile) at defined concentrations to support routine calibration and QC.
- Documentation: Certificate of Analysis with purity, identity (e.g., GC/MS), uncertainty (where applicable), homogeneity, and stability data.
- Customization: bespoke concentrations, solvent systems, and multi-analyte mixes; stable isotope-labelled derivatives available on request.
- Compliance: products tested according to international quality requirements to meet the highest industrial standards.
Storage and Stability of Reference Materials
Store sealed reference materials at 2–8 °C, protected from light and moisture. Allow to equilibrate to room temperature before opening to minimize condensation. For solutions, track shelf-life and recheck concentration periodically per CoA recommendations.
Logistics and Packaging
Delivered in high-integrity, chemically compatible vials with tamper-evident seals. Temperature-controlled shipping available where required. All shipments include safety and product documentation for streamlined receiving and audit readiness.