Multiple choice

The foul smell of rancid butter is due to

  1. caproic acid.

  2. stearic acid.

  3. butyric acid.

  4. palmitic acid.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Rancid butter develops its characteristic foul smell due to bacterial hydrolysis of triglycerides, releasing free fatty acids. Butyric acid (C3H7COOH, butanoic acid) is particularly volatile and malodorous. Caproic, stearic, and palmitic acids are either not produced in significant quantities or are less odorous.