Phytic acid

Phytic acid (known as phytate when its salt form) is the principal storage form of phosphorus in in many plant tissues, especially seeds. Phosphorus in this form is generally not bioavailable to non-ruminant animals because they lack the digestive enzyme, phytase, required to separate phosphorus from the phytate molecule. On the other hand, ruminants readily utilize phytate because of the phytase produced by rumen microorganisms.

In modern agriculture, non-ruminant livestock such as swine and poultry are fed mainly grains such as soybeans and maize. Because phytate from these grains is unavailable for absorption, the unabsorbed phytate passes through the gastrointestinal tract, elevating the amount of phosphorus in the manure. Excess phosphorus excretion can lead to enviromental problems such as eutrophication.

The bioavailability of phytate phosphorus can be increased by supplementation of the diet with phytase enzyme. There is some evidence that phytic acid has an anticancer effect.

Phytic acid is a powerful chelator of polyvalent cations.

External link

• Cancer Inhibition by Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6) and Inositol: From Laboratory to Clinic (scientific publication}