Aliphatic acids are a type of organic compound characterized by straight or branched chains of carbon atoms. They can be saturated, containing only single bonds, or unsaturated, which have one or more double bonds. Common examples include acetic acid and butyric acid, which are found in various natural sources and have important roles in both food and industrial applications. These acids are typically classified into two main categories: fatty acids, which are long-chain aliphatic acids, and carboxylic acids, which contain a carboxyl group (-COOH). Aliphatic acids are widely used in the production of soaps, detergents, and various chemical intermediates.