Phytic acid

IP6, phytate phospho -inositol hexa-

• 83-86-3
• 129832-03-7 (potassium salt)
• 14306-25-3 (sodium salt)
• 23183-60-0 (calcium salt)
• 63903-51-5 (zinc salt)
• 3929-21-3 (iron salt)
• 90940-73-1 ( barium salt )

V09DB07

Fixed (potassium salt)

Potassium salt

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Phytic acid ( myo -inositol hexaphosphoric acid ester, IP6 ) is one of the bioactive substances. It is used in plants such as legumes, grains and oilseeds as a memory for phosphate and cations ( potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, barium and iron ( II) ions) to the seedling growth needed. Due to their complex-forming properties, they can bind the people with the food absorbed minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in the stomach and intestines insoluble so that they are no longer available to the body.

Phytic acid is found in nature as an anion, called phytate ago. Especially a lot of phytate contained in corn, soybean and in wheat, barley and rye bran. Also in the peanut much phytate is included, so they - like other legumes also - despite their high mineral content as a source of minerals is only of limited use.

Phytic acid and Mineralienresorption

Minerals are usually absorbed in the small intestine. Certain food substances with minerals form solid complexes and impede about their absorption into the body. Phytic acid has this property. Also calcium, magnesium and zinc are given in the recycling process of the digestive secretions of the pancreas, the small intestine and from there reabsorbed. A high phytate in the diet can therefore these ions produce a defect - for example, on a diet with a lot of legumes, especially soy but also whole grains.

Pros and Cons

Phytic acid has been regarded as an undesirable ingredient in foods because the bound by it in the plant minerals from the body can not be recorded. In the preparation of whole grain products is therefore reduced by special dough processing of phytin. Some representatives of the whole food nutrition, however, believe that the ability to bind minerals in a balanced mixed diet is not a significant disadvantage. These foods should, however, be supplemented by an additional source of zinc in the form of mineral supplements.

Phytic acid delays such as the degradation of starch in the body. Thus, the blood glucose concentration could be regulated to some supporters of whole food nutrition opinion. In addition, phytic acid would bind an excess of metal ions, especially iron in the diet, which would represent an increased risk for colorectal cancer.

Phytate and manure

Ruminants are the only mammals that degrade phytic acid and thereby can exploit accumulating phosphate, because they have special bacteria in their stomachs as Flora. These bacteria produce an enzyme, phytase, which allows the reduction of phytate to phosphate and sugar.

Only ruminants are able to process and use phytate. The manure of ruminants is low phosphate, in contrast to the excretion products such as the pig. This results in densely populated areas to a growing waste disposal and environmental problem, which is why the feed for pigs now the enzyme phytase is added to achieve better absorption in the body, which incidentally increases the effective nutritional value of the food.

Nuclear Medicine

Radioactive 99mTechnetiumphytat is used in nuclear medicine as a tracer in the static Leberszintigrafie.

Food

The salts of calcium phytate and calcium Magnesiumphytat be used as a clarifying agent for beverages.