I believe my butter has turned rancid. It has passed the expiration date and tastes slightly sour. I read online that when butter turns rancid, the fats decompose and yield the fatty acid butyric acid, giving butter the sour taste. A website suggested to soak the rancid butter in a solution of baking soda to neutralize the butyric acid, thereby restoring the butter. Would the butter be safe to eat then?
2007-07-06 05:10:19 · 6 answers · asked by Dynamic Fetch 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
If sodium butyrate comes in contact with your skin or is eaten - you should seek immediate medical attention immediately. (Besides - it does not take away the smell - sodium butyrate is very smelly).
MSDS: http://www.specialtymedia.com/05Resources/MSDS/MSDS%20TR-1008.htm
2007-07-06 05:25:29 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sound like quite an adventurous person. Restoring butter and whatnot. It would be easier to purchase more butter. Probably smarter too!
But you probably have a little "Captain" in you. I'd first drain the butter. Melt the remaining solid. If it's too solid then throw it away. It's no longer healthy, or as healthy as butter can get. At that point, it's nothing but trans- and saturated fats. Baking soda is pure bicarbonate and can be used as a base in acid-base titrations. However, neutralizing the acid does not make it safe. Being a weak acid, it will fluctuate in pH and probably kill you as the good doctor suggested. I wouldn't recommend eating it, but it's not a bad experiment if you have some time to waste.
For the liquid, well, you need special precautions in throwing it away. And yes, you must throw it away. Dump a good deal of Baking soda in, then pour it down the drain. Run cold water while you boil about half a gallon water on the stove. The cold water will help condense the fumes and lower their kinetic energy, slowing the spread of noxious gas. When the water has boiled, pour it down the drain, making sure to cover all the visible innards of the drain. Do not use any detergents or soaps in the drain until it dries. Acids and bases need the hydrogen bonding properties in water to react.
Have fun!
2007-07-06 05:51:00 · answer #2 · answered by hung l 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With all the hassle and how cheap butter is, it would be more practical to buy a new one and discard the ranced one.
2007-07-06 05:14:10 · answer #3 · answered by Doclester 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um....butter isn't really expensive. Why not go out and buy some more?
2007-07-06 05:13:39 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wouldn't it be easier just to buy a new package?
2007-07-06 05:13:19 · answer #5 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i think to be safe you should just go and purchase a new one.
2007-07-06 21:25:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋