Phytic Acid - Significance in Agriculture

Significance in Agriculture

Phosphorus and inositol in phytate form are not, in general, bioavailable to nonruminant animals because these animals lack the digestive enzyme phytase required to remove phosphate from the inositol in the phytate molecule. On the other hand, ruminants readily digest phytate because of the phytase produced by rumen microorganisms.

In most commercial agriculture, nonruminant livestock, such as swine, fowl, and fish, are fed mainly grains, such as maize, and legumes, such as soybeans. Because phytate from these grains and beans 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 environmental problems, such as eutrophication.

The bioavailability of phytate phosphorus can be increased by supplementation of the diet with the enzyme phytase. Also, viable low-phytic acid mutant lines have been developed in several crop species in which the seeds have drastically reduced levels of phytic acid and concomitant increases in inorganic phosphorus. However, reported germination problems have hindered the use of these cultivars thus far.

The use of sprouted grains will reduce the quantity of phytic acids in feed, with no significant reduction of nutritional value.

Phytates also have the potential to be used in soil remediation, to immobilize uranium, nickel and other inorganic contaminants.