Phytic Acid Studies.

Abstract
Summary Relative tendency of some metals to complex with phytic acid, and the influence of sodium phytate on the availability of zinc in chicks were studied. Of the metals studied, zinc appeared to form the most stable complex with phytic acid in the physiological pH ranges. Addition of sodium phytate (0.25%) to a low-zinc chick diet depressed growth rate presumably by binding zinc and rendering the element less available for growth. Therefore, the greater tendency exhibited by zinc to form a complex with phytic acid near physiological pH ranges would possibly explain the adverse effect of phytic acid on zinc metabolism.