Phytic acid ( myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6 hexakisphosphate ) is a naturally occurring polyphosphorylated carbohydrate (legumes, cereals, fibres) found in mammalian cells and the human body. Industrially it is a chemical compound, dihydrogenphosphate ester with the presence of 6 potential inositol sites that is produced by chemical synthesis.

It appears as a yellowish liquid.

What it is used for and where

Phytic acid plays an important biological role in the cells of the human body where it performs important physiological functions including the regulation of various intracellular processes, antioxidant activity and cell signalling. It has a good ability to chelate multivalent metal ions, especially calcium, zinc and iron, and is considered a natural antioxidant.

Phytic acid present in vegetables constitutes approximately 1-5% by weight of many legumes and cereals.

Medical

Many studies have focused on the therapeutically beneficial effects of phytic acid as a dietary agent in the prevention and control of cancer cell growth. It has also been shown to lower elevated serum cholesterol, improve the status of the immune system, prevent pathological calcification and kidney stone formation, and reduce pathological platelet activity (1).

Phytic acid has long been considered an anti-nutritional factor, i.e. a component that limits the absorption of nutrients, but the intracellular interactions mediated by this antioxidant remain poorly understood (2).

These various biological roles have led to various biomedical applications over a period of time ranging from 1914 (Heubner and Stadler studied the extraction of pulverised wheat) to the present day, where phytic acid is included in supplements, medicines and cosmetic products.

For chemical peeling of melasma, symmetrical hypermelanosis causing brown patches on the face, glycolic acid has shown better efficacy than phytic acid (3).

Cosmetics

Phytic acid is often included in cosmetic formulations as an anti-ageing treatment.

Food

Conservazione e protezione del colore di frutta, verdura e prodotti acquatici.

Other applications

In paints and coatings, in the chemical industry, in metalworking, in the textile industry, in the plastics industry and in the high molecular weight industry.

Anti-rust and anti-corrosion agent for metals.

Phytic acid studies

Typical commercial product characteristics Phytic acid

Appearance	Yellow liquid
Boiling Point	1190.7±75.0°C at 760 mmHg
Flash Point	673.9±37.1°C
Density	2.4±0.1 g/cm3
Inorganic Phosphorus	≤0.02% w/%
Chloride	≤0.02% w/%
Sulfate	≤0.02% w/%
Calcium	≤0.02% w/%
Arsenic	≤3.0 mg/kg
Lead	≤1.0 mg/kg
PSA	459.42000
LogP	-8.47
Index of Refraction	1.629
Vapour Pressure	0.0±0.6 mmHg at 25°C
Safety

• Molecular FormulaC₆H₁₈O₂₄P₆
• Molecular Weight     660.04
• CAS  83-86-3
• UNII    7IGF0S7R8I
• EC Number   201-506-6
• DSSTox Substance ID  
• IUPAC  (2,3,4,5,6-pentaphosphonooxycyclohexyl) dihydrogen phosphate
• InChI=1S/C6H18O24P6/c7-31(8,9)25-1-2(26-32(10,11)12)4(28-34(16,17)18)6(30-36(22,23)24)5(29-35(19,20)21)3(1)27-33(13,14)15/h1-6H,(H2,7,8,9)(H2,10,11,12)(H2,13,14,15)(H2,16,17,18)(H2,19,20,21)(H2,22,23,24)  
• InChl Key      IMQLKJBTEOYOSI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES   C1(C(C(C(C(C1OP(=O)(O)O)OP(=O)(O)O)OP(=O)(O)O)OP(=O)(O)O)OP(=O)(O)O)OP(=O)(O)O
• MDL number  MFCD00082309
• PubChem Substance ID    24881460
• ChEBI  
• RXCUI  8302   
• NSC   269896
• RTECS   NM7525000
• UN   
• NCI   

Synonyms:

• (2,3,4,5,6-pentaphosphonooxycyclohexyl) dihydrogen phosphate
• Inositol hexaphosphate
• myo-Inositol hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate)

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Vucenik I, Shamsuddin AM. Protection against cancer by dietary IP6 and inositol. Nutr Cancer. 2006;55(2):109-25. doi: 10.1207/s15327914nc5502_1. 

(2) Silva EO, Bracarense AP. Phytic Acid: From Antinutritional to Multiple Protection Factor of Organic Systems. J Food Sci. 2016 Jun;81(6):R1357-62. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.13320. 

(3) Sarkar R, Garg V, Bansal S, Sethi S, Gupta C. Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Mandelic Acid, and Phytic Acid Combination Peels in Melasma. Dermatol Surg. 2016 Mar;42(3):384-91. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000642.