Phytic Acid
Lori Oatway, Thara Vasanthan, James H. Helm
Abstract
Since its discovery, phytic acid has been categorized
as an antinutritional component in cereals and legumes. Research has traditionally
focused on its unique structure that gives it the ability to bind minerals,
proteins, and starch, and the resulting detrimental effects. Phytic acid
(PA) has also been attributed to high phosphorus excretion by monogastric
animals and the resulting environmental problems of phosphorus pollution
of water and soil. Although all of these concerns are valid, the development
of phytases has offered solutions to overcome some of these adverse effects.
With more understanding of the effects of phytic acid, many of the adverse
effects can be overcome. In addition, more recent research has proposed that
the same properties that labeled phytic acid as an antinutrient may in fact
be responsible for a wide range of benefits. Many new areas for phytic acid
utilization including medical and industrial applications have been proposed.
This review will give a general overview of the structure and function of
phytic acid and phytases, phytic acid as a component of food and animal feed,
industrial applications, and medicinal qualities in order to better understand
the complete phytic acid system.
References
Lori Oatway, Thava Vasanthan, and James H. Helm. 2001. Phytic Acid. In
Food Reviews International. Vol. 17 (4). p. 419-431.
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