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Nutrients Sep 2020Plant-based diets are associated with reduced risk of lifestyle-induced chronic diseases. The thousands of phytochemicals they contain are implicated in cellular-based... (Review)
Review
Plant-based diets are associated with reduced risk of lifestyle-induced chronic diseases. The thousands of phytochemicals they contain are implicated in cellular-based mechanisms to promote antioxidant defense and reduce inflammation. While recommendations encourage the intake of fruits and vegetables, most people fall short of their target daily intake. Despite the need to increase plant-food consumption, there have been some concerns raised about whether they are beneficial because of the various 'anti-nutrient' compounds they contain. Some of these anti-nutrients that have been called into question included lectins, oxalates, goitrogens, phytoestrogens, phytates, and tannins. As a result, there may be select individuals with specific health conditions who elect to decrease their plant food intake despite potential benefits. The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the science of these 'anti-nutrients' and weigh the evidence of whether these compounds pose an actual health threat.
Topics: Antioxidants; Antithyroid Agents; Cooking; Diet, Vegetarian; Food Handling; Fruit; Humans; Lectins; Nutrients; Oxalates; Phytic Acid; Phytochemicals; Phytoestrogens; Tannins; Vegetables
PubMed: 32987890
DOI: 10.3390/nu12102929 -
Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science... Mar 2021Is phytic acid (IP6) an undesirable constituent for vegetables and foods? This question is getting harder to answer. Phytic acid contributes to mineral/protein... (Review)
Review
Is phytic acid (IP6) an undesirable constituent for vegetables and foods? This question is getting harder to answer. Phytic acid contributes to mineral/protein deficiency, but also brings about potential physiological benefits. Both the positive and negative effects boil down to the interactions among IP6, metal ions, and biopolymers. In the wake of the booming market of plant-based foods, an unbiased understanding of these interactions and their impacts on the foods themselves is a necessity to the smart control and utilization of plant-sourced phytates. This overview presents updated knowledge of IP6-related interactions, with a strong focus on their contributions to food functionality, processability, and safety.
Topics: Food Handling; Minerals; Phytic Acid; Vegetables
PubMed: 33559386
DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12714 -
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry : PPB Jul 2021Phytate or phytic acid (PA), is a phosphorus (P) containing compound generated by the stepwise phosphorylation of myo-inositol. It forms complexes with some nutrient... (Review)
Review
Phytate or phytic acid (PA), is a phosphorus (P) containing compound generated by the stepwise phosphorylation of myo-inositol. It forms complexes with some nutrient cations, such as Ca, Fe and Zn, compromising their absorption and thus acting as an anti-nutrient in the digestive tract of humans and monogastric animals. Conversely, PAs are an important form of P storage in seeds, making up to 90% of total seed P. Phytates also play a role in germination and are related to the synthesis of abscisic acid and gibberellins, the hormones involved in seed germination. Decreasing PA content in plants is desirable for human dietary. Therefore, low phytic acid (lpa) mutants might present some negative pleiotropic effects, which could impair germination and seed viability. In the present study, we review current knowledge of the genes encoding enzymes that function in different stages of PA synthesis, from the first phosphorylation of myo-inositol to PA transport into seed reserve tissues, and the application of this knowledge to reduce PA concentrations in edible crops to enhance human diet. Finally, phylogenetic data for PA concentrations in different plant families and distributed across several countries under different environmental conditions are compiled. The results of the present study help explain the importance of PA accumulation in different plant families and the distribution of PA accumulation in different foods.
Topics: Animals; Diet; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Germination; Humans; Phylogeny; Phytic Acid; Seeds
PubMed: 33991859
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.04.035 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2020From the early precipitation-based techniques, introduced more than a century ago, to the latest development of enzymatic bio- and nano-sensor applications, the analysis... (Review)
Review
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.
Topics: Animals; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Humans; Inositol Phosphates; Phytic Acid
PubMed: 33396544
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010174 -
Life Sciences Dec 2022Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an unknown etiology that is currently difficult to treat effectively. Phytic acid, a natural compound...
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an unknown etiology that is currently difficult to treat effectively. Phytic acid, a natural compound found in high-fiber foods, such as grains, has been shown to have many pharmacological functions, such as anti-inflammatory and blood-milk barrier maintenance. Our study investigated the effects of phytic acid on UC as well as the underlying mechanisms. We found that phytic acid ameliorated weight loss, shortened colon length, increased clinical scores, and decreased the release of pro-inflammatory factors (Il-1β, Il-6, and TNF-α) in mice with DSS-induced UC. Phytic acid was also found to protect intestinal barrier integrity in mice with UC by maintaining the expression of tight junction proteins (occludin, claudin-3 and ZO-1) and mucin-2. In LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cells, phytic acid significantly inhibited the upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors and the downregulation of tight junction proteins. Further experimental results confirmed that phytic acid inhibits the activation of the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway in both mice with UC and Caco-2 cells. To sum up, this study proved that phytic acid has a beneficial ameliorative effect on mice with DSS-induced UC, suggesting that it may be used to develop functional foods for the treatment or prevention of UC.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Colitis, Ulcerative; Dextran Sulfate; Phytic Acid; Caco-2 Cells; Disease Models, Animal; Colon; Tight Junction Proteins; NF-kappa B; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Colitis
PubMed: 36341915
DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121139 -
Nutrients Dec 2021Phytate (PA) serves as a phosphate storage molecule in cereals and other plant foods. In food and in the human body, PA has a high affinity to chelate Zn and Fe, Mg, Ca,...
Phytate (PA) serves as a phosphate storage molecule in cereals and other plant foods. In food and in the human body, PA has a high affinity to chelate Zn and Fe, Mg, Ca, K, Mn and Cu. As a consequence, minerals chelated in PA are not bio-available, which is a concern for public health in conditions of poor food availability and low mineral intakes, ultimately leading to an impaired micronutrient status, growth, development and increased mortality. For low-income countries this has resulted in communications on how to reduce the content of PA in food, by appropriate at home food processing. However, claims that a reduction in PA in food by processing per definition leads to a measurable improvement in mineral status and that the consumption of grains rich in PA impairs mineral status requires nuance. Frequently observed decreases of PA and increases in soluble minerals in in vitro food digestion (increased bio-accessibility) are used to promote food benefits. However, these do not necessarily translate into an increased bioavailability and mineral status in vivo. In vitro essays have limitations, such as the absence of blood flow, hormonal responses, neural regulation, gut epithelium associated factors and the presence of microbiota, which mutually influence the in vivo effects and should be considered. In Western countries, increased consumption of whole grain foods is associated with improved health outcomes, which does not justify advice to refrain from grain-based foods because they contain PA. The present commentary aims to clarify these seemingly controversial aspects.
Topics: Bread; Diet, Healthy; Humans; Micronutrients; Phytic Acid; Whole Grains
PubMed: 35010899
DOI: 10.3390/nu14010025 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Apr 2021Phytic acid (PA), [myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate] is the principal storage compound of phosphorus (P) and account for 65%-85% of the seeds total P. The... (Review)
Review
Phytic acid (PA), [myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate] is the principal storage compound of phosphorus (P) and account for 65%-85% of the seeds total P. The negative charge on PA attracts and chelates metal cations resulting in a mixed insoluble salt, phytate. Phytate contains six negatively charged ions, chelates divalent cations such as Fe, Zn, Mg, and Ca rendering them unavailable for absorption by monogastric animals. This may lead to micronutrient deficiencies in humans since they lack the enzyme phytase that hydrolyzes phytate and releases the bound micronutrients. There are two main concerns about the presence of PA in human diet. The first is its negative impact on the bioavailability of several minerals and the second is the evidence of PA inhibiting various proteases essential for protein degradation and the subsequent digestion in stomach and small intestine. The beneficial role of PA has been underestimated due to its distinct negative consequences. PA is reported to be a potent natural plant antioxidant which plays a protective role against oxidative stress in seeds and preventive role in various human diseases. Recently beneficial roles of PA as an antidiabetic and antibacterial agent has been reported. Thus, the development of grains with low-PA and modified distribution pattern can be achieved through fine-tuning of its content in the seeds.
Topics: 6-Phytase; Animals; Humans; Minerals; Phytic Acid; Seeds; Glycine max
PubMed: 33773669
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110193 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023Zinc is an essential micronutrient, and its deficiency is perhaps the most prevalent and least understood worldwide. Recent advances have expanded the understanding of... (Review)
Review
Zinc is an essential micronutrient, and its deficiency is perhaps the most prevalent and least understood worldwide. Recent advances have expanded the understanding of zinc's unique chemistry and molecular roles in a vast array of critical functions. However, beyond the concept of zinc absorption, few studies have explored the molecular basis of zinc bioavailability that determines the proportion of dietary zinc utilized in zinc-dependent processes in the body. The purpose of this review is to merge the concepts of zinc molecular biology and bioavailability with a focus on the molecular determinants of zinc luminal availability, absorption, transport, and utilization.
Topics: Zinc; Biological Availability; Trace Elements; Micronutrients; Phytic Acid
PubMed: 37047530
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076561 -
Journal of Dentistry Jan 2023To study phytic acid (IP6) effect on collagen solubilization by assessing hydroxyproline (HYP) release, evaluate its binding to demineralized (DD) and mineralized dentin...
OBJECTIVES
To study phytic acid (IP6) effect on collagen solubilization by assessing hydroxyproline (HYP) release, evaluate its binding to demineralized (DD) and mineralized dentin (MD) and determine the effect of different media on debinding of IP6.
METHODS
Demineralized dentin beams were incubated in 1%, 2% or 3% IP6 and HYP release was evaluated at 1 or 3 weeks and compared to those obtained in untreated control or phosphoric acid (PA)-treated beams. DD or MD powder was treated with 1%, 2% or 3% IP6 and the decrease in IP6 amount was quantitated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. IP6-treated samples were re-suspended in distilled water, ethanol, urea or sodium chloride and the amount of IP6 displaced was determined.
RESULTS
At 1 week, the control group and IP6 showed lower HYP release when compared to PA (P < 0.05). There was no difference among PA, IP6 and control at 3 weeks (P = 0.22). IP6 binding was concentration dependent. 1% IP6 had higher binding potential with MD compared to DD while 2% IP6 showed the opposite result (P<0.05). 3% IP6 had similar binding values between DD and MD (P = 0.53). The highest debinding in MD occurred with urea for 2%, 3% and 1% IP6 in descending manner. Within each concentration of IP6 in DD, the highest debinding effect was reported with ethanol.
CONCLUSIONS
IP6 bound to DD and MD in a concentration-dependent manner. IP6 was debound from DD mostly by the action of ethanol, while in MD, urea caused the most displacement. Collagen solubilization of IP6-treated DD was comparable to untreated DD.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
These findings add to the potential use of IP6 as an alternative to PA for dentin etching which possibly results in long-term stability of resin-dentin adhesion.
Topics: Dentin; Phytic Acid; Ethanol; Collagen
PubMed: 36379300
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104361 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2022Increasing energy demands exacerbated by energy shortages have highlighted the urgency of research on renewable energy technologies. Carbon materials that can be... (Review)
Review
Increasing energy demands exacerbated by energy shortages have highlighted the urgency of research on renewable energy technologies. Carbon materials that can be employed as advanced electrodes and catalysts can increase the accessibility of efficient and economical energy conversion and storage solutions based on electrocatalysis. In particular, carbon materials derived from biomass are promising candidates to replace precious-metal-based catalysts, owing to their low cost, anti-corrosion properties, electrochemical durability, and sustainability. For catalytic applications, the rational design and engineering of functional carbon materials in terms of their structure, morphology, and heteroatom doping are crucial. Phytic acid derived from natural, abundant, and renewable resources represents a versatile carbon precursor and modifier that can be introduced to tune the aforementioned properties. This review discusses synthetic strategies for preparing functional carbon materials using phytic acid and explores the influence of this precursor on the resulting materials' physicochemical characteristics. We also summarize recent strategies that have been applied to improve the oxygen reduction performance of porous carbon materials using phytic acid, thereby offering guidance for the future design of functional, sustainable carbon materials with enhanced catalytic properties.
Topics: Biomass; Carbon; Catalysis; Oxygen; Phytic Acid
PubMed: 36232584
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911282