Analytical Methods for Determination of Phytic Acid and Other Inositol Phosphates: A Review

Abstract

From the early precipitation-based techniques, introduced more than a century ago, to the latest development of enzymatic bio- and nano-sensor applications, the analysis of phytic acid and/or other inositol phosphates has never been a straightforward analytical task. Due to the biomedical importance, such as antinutritional, antioxidant and anticancer effects, several types of methodologies were investigated over the years to develop a reliable determination of these intriguing analytes in many types of biological samples; from various foodstuffs to living cell organisms. The main aim of the present work was to critically overview the development of the most relevant analytical principles, separation and detection methods that have been applied in order to overcome the difficulties with specific chemical properties of inositol phosphates, their interferences, absence of characteristic signal (e.g., absorbance), and strong binding interactions with (multivalent) metals and other biological molecules present in the sample matrix. A systematical and chronological review of the applied methodology and the detection system is given, ranging from the very beginnings of the classical gravimetric and titrimetric analysis, through the potentiometric titrations, chromatographic and electrophoretic separation techniques, to the use of spectroscopic methods and of the recently reported fluorescence and voltammetric bio- and nano-sensors.

Innovative Polyelectrolyte Treatment to Flame-Retard Wood

“…Turbidity: The PECs’ stability in solution was evaluated using a Varian Cary 50 UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA). The wavelength selected for the analysis was 400 nm as neither PEI nor SPA absorb in solution at this wavelength [ 47 , 48 ]. Thus, any change in absorbance results only from the complexation of the polyelectrolyte.…”

Effect of Feeding a High Calcium: Phosphorus Ratio, Phosphorous Deficient Diet on Hypophosphatemic Rickets Onset in Broilers

“…Conversely, when P concentration is low, a feed with a balanced Ca:P ratio resulted in better growth performance and bone structure than feed with high Ca:TP ratios [7,15]. In future, the use of more accurate methods to determine phytic acid and other inositol phosphate contents will be necessary to provide more exact recommendations for safe dietary doses of NPP in broiler feeds [32]. The P is largely mobilized by the yolk sac membrane during 12-17 days of incubation, and its content is very low as the chicken's embryo prepares to hatch [33].…”

Novel Chemical and Biological Insights of Inositol Derivatives in Mediterranean Plants

“…This compound shows a great affinity to several minerals, such as iron, zinc and calcium, reducing their intestinal absorbtion, and for this reason phytic acid and its salts are also considered anti-nutritional dietary components [25,26]. Several inositol phosphates have been isolated and characterized mainly from seeds, cereals and legumes, being present as mixed salts (calcium-magnesium-potassium), named also phytins [21,27,28]. Another important class of biomolecules involving inositols is represented by sphingolipids, one of the most significant lipid class present in the plant plasma membrane [29].…”