biacetyl
/baɪˈæsɪtəl/
noun
- A yellow liquid chemical compound with a strong buttery flavor, used in foods like microwave popcorn and margarine to give a buttery taste.
- Biacetyl is the chemical that gives microwave popcorn its buttery flavor.
- The buttery smell in the movie theater comes partly from biacetyl used in the popcorn.
- Some manufacturers have reduced the amount of biacetyl in their products due to health concerns.