The Collaborative International Dictionary
Propionate
Propionate \Pro"pi*o*nate\, n. (Chem.) A salt of propionic acid.
Wiktionary
propionate
n. (context organic compound English) Any salt or ester of propionic acid; used as food preservatives.
Wikipedia
Propionate
The propionate or propanoate ion is C HC OO (the conjugate base of propionic acid).
A propionic or propanoic compound is a small salt or ester of propionic acid. In these compounds, propionate is often written in shorthand, as CHCHCO or simply EtCO.
Propionates should not be confused with propenoates (commonly known as acrylates), the ions/salts/esters of propenoic acid (also known as 2-propenoic acid or acrylic acid).