Catalyzes the activation of fatty acids by CoA to produce an acyl-CoA, the first step in fatty acid metabolism (, ). Capable of activating medium-chain fatty acids (e.g. butyric (C4) to decanoic (C10) acids), and certain carboxylate-containing xenobiotics, e.g. benzoate (, ).
Subcellular locations: Mitochondrion
Detected in liver.