A methylbutyric acid comprising a butyric acid core carrying a 2-methyl substituent. Produced from amino acid leucine during nutrient starvation in bacteria. ChEBI: 2-methylbutyric acid is a methylbutyric acid comprising a butyric acid core carrying a 2-methyl substituent. Produced from amino acid leucine during nutrient starvation in bacteria. It has a role as a bacterial metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a 2-methylbutyrate.