Valeric Acid (Pentanoic Acid) – Reference Materials and Analytical Insights
Valeric acid — High-Purity Reference Materials for Confident GC/GC–MS Quantification
Accelerate method reliability with HPC Standards’ valeric acid (pentanoic acid) reference materials, engineered for precise calibration across food, flavor, environmental, and industrial matrices. Our neat and ready-to-use solutions are tested to international quality requirements and supplied with comprehensive Certificates of Analysis, ensuring purity, identity, uncertainty, stability, and traceability. Benefit from matrix-robust quantification, optimized VFA profiling, and demonstrable regulatory compliance. Isotope‑labeled variants are available on request to strengthen isotope-dilution workflows. Choose HPC Standards for reproducible results and confident decision-making in routine and advanced residue analytics.
Product | Catalog No./ CAS No. | Quantity | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ISO 17034 Reference Material |  | 687514 | 1X100MG | Please log in. |
 | 682864 | 1X1000MG | Please log in. |
High-quality valeric acid reference materials for robust quantification in food, flavor, environmental, and industrial matrices—tested to international quality requirements to ensure regulatory compliance and method reliability.
Overview
Valeric acid (pentanoic acid; CAS 109-52-4) is a straight-chain saturated carboxylic acid (C5H10O2) with a pungent odor. It is a colorless to pale liquid, weakly acidic, and miscible with many organic solvents while moderately soluble in water.
In analytical contexts, valeric acid appears as a target or marker compound in food and flavor profiling, fermentation monitoring, wastewater characterization, air odor investigations, and as an intermediate in chemical manufacturing quality control.
Chemical Identity and Properties
Synonyms: Pentanoic acid, n-valeric acid. Molecular weight: 102.13 g/mol; pKa ≈ 4.8 (20–25 °C). Typical boiling point ≈ 186–187 °C; flash point in the range of combustible liquids. Characteristic strong, rancid/fatty odor. Forms valerate salts and esters (valerates) with distinct sensory/functional properties.
Analytical behavior: Amenable to GC and GC–MS; derivatization can enhance volatility and chromatographic performance. Co-elution with structurally related volatile fatty acids (VFAs) must be controlled via column selection and temperature programming.
Applications and Use Cases
- Flavor and fragrance: precursor and component in ester synthesis (e.g., pentyl esters) used for fruity notes.
- Chemical and polymer industry: intermediate for plasticizers, lubricants, and specialty chemicals.
- Bioprocess/fermentation: monitoring of VFA profiles in anaerobic digestion, wastewater treatment, and microbial conversions.
- Environmental and air quality: odor source tracking and VOC assessments around industrial sites and waste facilities.
Occurrence and Formation
Occurs at low levels in certain fermented foods and beverages, and can arise from lipid oxidation or microbial metabolism. In environmental systems, it is formed during anaerobic degradation of organic matter alongside other VFAs (acetic, propionic, butyric).
Regulatory Landscape
- General chemicals regulation: subject to substance registration, classification, and labeling requirements (e.g., EU REACH/CLP). Country-specific workplace and environmental provisions may apply.
- Food and flavor: use of valeric acid or its esters may be governed by regional flavoring and food additive frameworks. Manufacturers should verify applicable listings, specifications, and purity criteria before use in food-related applications.
- Environmental: emission and discharge limits for VOCs and odorous substances can trigger monitoring obligations in air and wastewater permits.
Occupational Exposure and Safety Measures
Primary hazards: skin and eye irritation; respiratory tract irritation from vapors or aerosols; strong odor nuisance at low concentrations. Combustible liquid—avoid ignition sources and ensure adequate ventilation.
Controls: closed handling systems, local exhaust ventilation, splash protection, and compatible corrosion-resistant materials. PPE: chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles/face shield, lab coat; use respirators where ventilation is insufficient.
Storage: tightly sealed containers, cool and well-ventilated area, segregated from bases/oxidizers. Spill response: contain, ventilate, neutralize cautiously if permitted by site SOPs, and collect for disposal per local regulations.
Human Toxicity
Valeric acid is an irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. High vapor concentrations may cause headaches, cough, or dizziness. Ingestion may result in gastrointestinal irritation. Prolonged or repeated contact can exacerbate dermatitis. Implement exposure minimization and hygiene measures.
Environmental Impact
Readily biodegradable in aerobic conditions; may contribute to odor issues and oxygen demand in water systems at elevated levels. Aquatic toxicity is typically low to moderate but context-dependent; avoid uncontrolled releases to surface waters and soil.
Effects on Wildlife
Transient exposure can disturb aquatic organisms through localized pH shifts and oxygen depletion. Long-term bioaccumulation is not expected due to rapid degradation and low hydrophobicity; nevertheless, preventive containment and proper wastewater treatment are recommended.
Monitoring and Analytical Methods
- GC–FID/GC–MS: direct analysis or after derivatization (e.g., methyl esters, silylation) for improved peak shape and sensitivity.
- HS-SPME or purge-and-trap: for volatile/odor studies in air, headspace of foods, and environmental matrices.
- HPLC/IC variants: applicable after suitable derivatization or ion-exclusion approaches for VFA panels.
- Quantification: external calibration with matrix-matched curves; internal standards (e.g., stable isotope-labeled valeric acid) enhance precision and correct for recovery/volatility losses.
Sampling and Sample Preparation
Food/beverage: cold storage, minimal headspace, and rapid quenching to limit microbial transformation. Homogenization and protein precipitation followed by solvent extraction for complex matrices.
Water/wastewater: preserve at low temperature; consider acidification to inhibit biodegradation. For odor/VOC work, use canisters, sorbent tubes, or headspace vials with immediate sealing.
Air/odor: sorbent media selection based on humidity and expected concentration; validate desorption efficiency.
Method Validation and QA/QC
Establish LOQ in target matrix, linearity across expected ranges, precision (intra-/inter-day), accuracy via spike recoveries, and robustness against matrix effects. Include blanks, duplicates, and control samples in each batch. Use certified or quality-controlled reference materials for calibration and performance checks.
Valeric Acid Reference Materials
HPC Standards GmbH supplies high-purity valeric acid reference materials to support accurate quantification in food, environmental, and industrial testing. Products are tested according to international quality requirements and meet the highest industrial standards.
Offerings include neat substances and ready-to-use solutions in common solvents and concentrations, with comprehensive Certificates of Analysis (purity, identity, uncertainty, stability, and traceability where applicable). Stable isotope-labeled derivatives are available on request to strengthen isotope-dilution workflows.
Benefits: precise calibration, enhanced traceability, improved inter-laboratory comparability, and reliable compliance demonstrations.
Storage and Stability (Reference Materials)
Store sealed at recommended temperatures away from light and moisture. Observe stated shelf life and re-test intervals on the Certificate of Analysis. Allow solutions to equilibrate to room temperature before use and minimize headspace to reduce volatilization.
Related Compounds and Interferences
Potential chromatographic interferences from other VFAs (isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, hexanoic acids) and aldehydes/esters in flavor matrices. Optimize column selectivity, temperature ramps, and derivatization. Confirm identity via MS spectra and ion ratios, or retention index matching.
Industries Served
Food and beverages, flavors and fragrances, environmental and wastewater testing, odor investigations, chemical manufacturing QC, and bioprocess monitoring.
Why HPC Standards
HPC Standards GmbH specializes in reference materials for pesticides, veterinary compounds, metabolites, and stable isotope-labeled derivatives, and is your competent partner for food and environmental analysis. Our valeric acid reference materials enable dependable residue and odor/VFA analytics, supporting regulatory compliance and reproducible results.