An enzyme that has the ability to liberate the phosphate and mineral residues from phytic acid (phytate), a compound formed during the maturation process of plant seeds and grains that is commonly found in plant-based foods.
Phytase is an enzyme that has the ability to liberate the phosphate and mineral residues from phytic acid (phytate), a compound formed during the maturation process of plant seeds and grains that is commonly found in plant-based foods. Phytates (and phytic acid) are antioxidant compounds found in whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. The chief concern about phytates is that they can bind to certain dietary minerals including iron, zinc, manganese and, to a lesser extent calcium, and slow their absorption. Phytic acid (known as inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) , inositol polyphosphate, or phytate when in salt form), discovered in 1903, a saturated cyclic acid, is the principal storage form of phosphorus in many plant tissues, especially bran and seeds. It can be found in cereals and grains. Phytic Acid, also knows as inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), or phytate, is present in the brans and hulls of most grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. The ring you see above is the inositol (a B vitamin) constituent, which then has six phosphate groups attached. Phytic acid (or phytate when in salt form) is an substance found in many foods, but especially soybeans and soy products, oatmeal, corn, peanuts, kidney beans, whole wheat and rye. In the human gut, it acts as an chelater and an anti-nutrient. Phytic acid, also called phytate in its salt form, is another anti-nutrient. Phytic acid is the main phosphorus store of many plants, as well as an energy store, and it’s a source of cations and myoinositol (a cell wall precursor). Phytate has been dubbed the anti-nutrient, but it’s also a beneficial phytonutrient. Phytate binds with minerals and prevents their absorption, possibly leading to deficiencies, especially if your diet is high in fiber and whole-grain foods. It’s also an antioxidant and may help fight some cancers.
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/phytase/ http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400758/Are-Phytates-Bad-or-Good.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytic_acid http://www.nourishingdays.com/2010/09/what-is-phytic-acid/ http://www.healthy-eating-politics.com/phytic-acid.html http://www.paleoplan.com/2011/04-27/phytates/ http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/foods-high-phytates-3307.html
what is a phytate