Formic acid natural occurrence

The synthesis of cellulose by A. xylinum from various polyalcohols14 is accompanied by the formation of carbon dioxide, formic acid, nonvolatile acids, ketoses and sometimes ethanol. The much greater variety of substrates suitable for cellulose synthesis, as compared with the small number for dextran or levan, may account for the widespread natural occurrence of cellulose. 

Occurrence.—The members of this series of acids are derived from the methane series of hydrocarbons and occur very commonly in nature. In a few cases they are found free as formic acid in ants and nettles and valeric acid in the root of Valeriana. In most cases the acids are combined with alcohols as esters and as such are found in ethereal oils, fats and waxes. This has given them the name fatty acids. 

Many carboxylic acids have common names that are derived from Latin or Greek words that indicate one of their natural sources. Methanoic acid is called formic acid formica, Latin ant). Ethanoic acid is called acetic acid acetum, Latin vinegar). Butanoic acid is one compound responsible for the odor of rancid butter, so its common name is butyric acid butyrum, Latin butter). Pentanoic acid, as a result of its occurrence in valerian, a perennial herb, is named valeric acid. Hexanoic acid is one compound associated with the odor of goats, hence its common name, caproic acid caper, Latin goat). Octadecanoic acid takes its common name, stearic acid, from the Greek word stear, for tallow. 

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