Quick answer: Tributyrin and butyric acid are related but distinct materials. Tributyrin is a triacylglycerol formed from glycerol and butyric acid, while butyric acid is the free acid. This difference affects composition, handling and the way a nutrition or procurement team evaluates a product.

Composition and product identity

Tributyrin has CAS number 60-01-5. Because it is an ester rather than free butyric acid, buyers should verify product identity, assay, physical form and grade on the current specification and COA.

Commercial feed products may also differ in concentration, carrier or formulation. The name on the marketing page is not enough to calculate equivalence.

Handling and formulation questions

Free butyric acid and tributyrin differ in handling characteristics. The relevant comparison should consider the actual product form, manufacturing process, storage, packaging and how the ingredient is incorporated into feed or premix.

A qualified nutritionist should evaluate the diet, species, life stage, objective and local rules. ADDEASY does not recommend one universal inclusion rate.

How to compare supplier specifications

Request COA, SDS/MSDS and available TDS for the exact grade. Compare assay or active composition, physical form, relevant impurities, carrier information where applicable, packaging and shelf life.

For a meaningful commercial comparison, align the quantity, destination, Incoterm and document requirements. A lower price per kilogram may not represent the same composition or delivered value.

Questions for poultry and swine projects

State the target species and production stage, complete feed or premix application, expected trial quantity and destination market. If the buyer will run a feeding trial, agree on sample identity and acceptance criteria.

Supplier information should support the formulator’s review, but product selection and inclusion remain formulation decisions subject to local feed regulations.

Buyer Checklist

• Intended application and destination market
• Required grade, standard and target specification
• Quantity, packaging and delivery schedule
• Destination port and Incoterm
• COA, SDS/MSDS, TDS and trade-document requirements
• Sample and testing requirements, when applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tributyrin the same as butyric acid?

No. Tributyrin is an ester of glycerol and butyric acid; butyric acid is the free acid.

Can their prices be compared directly?

Only after aligning composition, grade, physical form, packaging and delivery terms.

Is tributyrin used in animal feed?

Suitable feed-grade products are used in animal nutrition where local regulations permit.

How much tributyrin should be used?

A qualified nutritionist should calculate inclusion from the current product specification and complete formulation.

Can ADDEASY provide COA and SDS?

Current COA, SDS/MSDS and available TDS can be confirmed for the selected grade.

Request Product Documents or a Quotation

Review the Tributyrin product page and send ADDEASY the application, grade, specification, quantity, destination, packaging and document requirements.

Request a Quote | Get COA | Get SDS | Request a Sample

Quick answer: Tributyrin and butyric acid are related but distinct materials. Tributyrin is a triacylglycerol formed from glycerol and butyric acid, while butyric acid is the free acid. This difference affects composition, handling and the way a nutrition or procurement team evaluates a product.

Composition and product identity

Tributyrin has CAS number 60-01-5. Because it is an ester rather than free butyric acid, buyers should verify product identity, assay, physical form and grade on the current specification and COA.

Commercial feed products may also differ in concentration, carrier or formulation. The name on the marketing page is not enough to calculate equivalence.

Handling and formulation questions

Free butyric acid and tributyrin differ in handling characteristics. The relevant comparison should consider the actual product form, manufacturing process, storage, packaging and how the ingredient is incorporated into feed or premix.

A qualified nutritionist should evaluate the diet, species, life stage, objective and local rules. ADDEASY does not recommend one universal inclusion rate.

How to compare supplier specifications

Request COA, SDS/MSDS and available TDS for the exact grade. Compare assay or active composition, physical form, relevant impurities, carrier information where applicable, packaging and shelf life.

For a meaningful commercial comparison, align the quantity, destination, Incoterm and document requirements. A lower price per kilogram may not represent the same composition or delivered value.

Questions for poultry and swine projects

State the target species and production stage, complete feed or premix application, expected trial quantity and destination market. If the buyer will run a feeding trial, agree on sample identity and acceptance criteria.

Supplier information should support the formulator’s review, but product selection and inclusion remain formulation decisions subject to local feed regulations.

Buyer Checklist

• Intended application and destination market
• Required grade, standard and target specification
• Quantity, packaging and delivery schedule
• Destination port and Incoterm
• COA, SDS/MSDS, TDS and trade-document requirements
• Sample and testing requirements, when applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tributyrin the same as butyric acid?

No. Tributyrin is an ester of glycerol and butyric acid; butyric acid is the free acid.

Can their prices be compared directly?

Only after aligning composition, grade, physical form, packaging and delivery terms.

Is tributyrin used in animal feed?

Suitable feed-grade products are used in animal nutrition where local regulations permit.

How much tributyrin should be used?

A qualified nutritionist should calculate inclusion from the current product specification and complete formulation.

Can ADDEASY provide COA and SDS?

Current COA, SDS/MSDS and available TDS can be confirmed for the selected grade.

Request Product Documents or a Quotation

Review the Tributyrin product page and send ADDEASY the application, grade, specification, quantity, destination, packaging and document requirements.

Request a Quote | Get COA | Get SDS | Request a Sample