Investigation of the medicinal significance of phytic acid as an indispensable anti-nutrient in diseases

Abstract

Background & aims: Inadequate knowledge and intake of a balance diet is a contributing factor of micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries. Phytic acid contributes in inhibiting the bioavailability of some micronutrients. In spite of the antinutritional effect of phytic acid, it is known to exhibit some medicinal effects. This study investigated the medicinal significance of phytic acid as an indispensable anti-nutrient in diseases. Methods: Relevant scientific literatures from the major databases such as Pubmed, Medline and Google Scholar. The keywords searched and reviewed in this study were phytic acid, antinutrients, minerals, diseases and plants. Results: The published peer reviewed literatures searched showed that phytic acid, though an anti-nutrient, plays an indispensable role directly or indirectly in several disease conditions. It exhibits antioxidant function, a property that qualifies it to possess multiple medicinal values like: anti-diabetic, anticancer, antiinflammatory properties to mention a few. Its chelating property

Chemical proximate composition, antinutritional factors content, and antioxidant capacity of anatomical seed fractions of Moringa oleifera

“…This value, apparently high, still falls within the range reported for other oilseeds as soybeans, sesame seeds, sunflower kernels, linseeds, and rape seeds (1000-5400 mg/100 g) (Gupta et al, 2015). Although most reports underline the phytate action as an antinutritional agent, in recent studies, dietary phytate has been associated with specific therapeutic effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties, among others (Abdulwaliyu et al, 2019).…”

African nightshades (Solanum nigrum complex): The potential contribution to human nutrition and livelihoods in sub‐Saharan Africa

“…The daily phytate requirement for vegetarians is 1600 to 2500 mg/day (European Food Safety Authority [EFSA], 2014). Fermentation, germination, soaking, malting, boiling, solar, and pressure cooking are simple, inexpensive, and convenient techniques for the removal of phytates in ANS (Abdulwaliyu et al., 2019; Essack et al., 2017; Owade et al., 2019; Pasrija & Punia, 2010; Rasane et al., 2015; Wang & Guo, 2021). Water blanching at 95 °C and steam blanching of ANS for 5 min reduce phytate concentration by 25% to 75% (Managa et al., 2020).…”

Physiologically Active Molecules and Functional Properties of Soybeans in Human Health—A Current Perspective

“…Hence, phytic acid is considered a non-nutritional compound as it can affect the utilization of minerals in the body by binding to them and reducing their absorption [ 67 ]. However, it has recently gained favor due to its recently described antioxidant, anticancer, and lipid-lowering effects [ 68 ].…”

“…The hydroxyl radicals produced by iron cause oxidative damage by inducing the oxidation of cells or lipids [ 70 ]. Meanwhile, phytic acid can bind to iron to inhibit the production of hydroxyl radicals, thereby preventing the oxidation of cells [ 67 , 68 ]. This function has also been highlighted in the context of food processing; research is being conducted on the use of phytic acid supplementation to suppress oxidation that may occur during food processing [ 61 , 68 ].…”

“…Meanwhile, phytic acid can bind to iron to inhibit the production of hydroxyl radicals, thereby preventing the oxidation of cells [ 67 , 68 ]. This function has also been highlighted in the context of food processing; research is being conducted on the use of phytic acid supplementation to suppress oxidation that may occur during food processing [ 61 , 68 ]. Moreover, people with a higher intake of grains and vegetables containing large amounts of phytic acid have a lower incidence of colorectal cancer, due to phytic acid activating the expression of tumor-suppressor genes (e.g., p53 and WAF-1/p21) [ 71 , 72 ].…”