Phytic Acid

Phytic acid is the main storage form of phosphorus in many plant species. It is considered to be an antinutrient, because it binds nutritionally important cations and protein in the alimentary tract, thus lowering the bioavailability of minerals and protein in humans and other non-ruminants. Since phytic acid is a poor source of P for non-ruminants, the accumulation of excreted P in soils and water systems can represent a serious environmental problem in areas of intensive animal production and insufficient purification of municipal sewage. Thus, there are obvious reasons for reducing the level of phytic acid in the diet; on the other hand, however, dietary phytic acid may have positive effects on human health, as recent reports have shown.