Enhancing micronutrient absorption through simultaneous fortification and phytic acid degradation

Abstract

Phytic acid (PA), an endogenous antinutrient in cereals and legumes, hinders mineral absorption by forming less bioavailable, stable PA-mineral complexes. For individual micronutrients, the PA-to-mineral molar ratio below the critical level ensures better bioavailability and is achieved by adding minerals or removing PA from cereals and pulses. Although several PA reduction and fortification strategies are available, the inability to completely eradicate or degrade PA using available techniques always subdues fortification's impact by hindering fortified micronutrient absorption. The bioavailability of micronutrients could be increased through simultaneous PA degradation and fortification. Following primary PA reduction of the raw material, the fortification step should also incorporate additional essential control stages to further PA inactivation, improving micronutrient absorption. In this review, the chemistry of PA interaction with metal ions, associated controlling parameters, and its impact on PA reduction during fortification is also evaluated, and further suggestions were made for the fortification's success.

Keywords: Bioavailability; Controlling parameters; Micronutrient; PA-to-mineral molar ratio; Phytic acid-mineral complex; Retention.

Fig. 1

Phytic acid complexation with metal ions, starch, and protein

Fig. 2

Mechanism of enzymatic and non-enzymatic breakdown of PA. Intestinal cell and human diagram was taken from free vector art of Vecteezy graphics (https://www.vecteezy.com)