The DOI matches its Crossref record.
Phytic Acid Degradation as a Means of Improving Iron Absorption
Abstract
Phytic acid is a potent inhibitor of native and fortification iron absorption and low absorption of iron from cereal- and/or legume-based complementary foods is a major factor in the etiology of iron deficiency in infants. Dephytinization of complementary foods or soy-based infant formulas is technically possible but, as phytic acid is strongly inhibitory at low concentrations, complete enzymatic degradation is recommended. If this is not possible, the phytic acid to iron molar ratio should be decreased to below 1:1 and preferably below 0.4:1. Complete dephytinization of cereal- and legume-based complementary foods has been shown to increase the percentage of iron absorption by as much as 12-fold (0.99% to 11.54%) in a single-meal study when the foods were reconstituted with water. The addition of milk, however, inhibits iron absorption and overcomes the enhancing effect of phytic acid degradation. Dephytinization can therefore be strongly recommended only for cereal/legume mixtures reconstituted with water, especially low-cost complementary foods destined for infants in developing countries. In countries where infant cereals are consumed with milk, ascorbic acid addition can more easily be used to overcome the negative effect of phytic acid on iron absorption. Similarly with soy-based infant formulas, especially if manufactured from low-phytate isolates, ascorbic acid can be used to ensure adequate iron absorption.
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“such as phytates and polyphenols commonly found in plant sources [258,259]”
From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [259]
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Items 301–315 of 315
A review of role and applications of adjuvants in enhancing bioaccessibility of mineral in cereals
Kalantre, S., Suthar, S. B. K., Boda, N. R., Sarin, P., Rai, S., Banjara, S. K., Ananthan, R., Sharma, P., Sengupta, S., Desai, S. V., et al. (2026) · Food Science and Biotechnology · doi:10.1007/s10068-026-02120-0
“According to (Hurrell, 2004), iron absorption is considerably inhibited by phytate-to-iron molar ratios higher than 1:1, but absorption can be doubled by ratios lower than 0.3-0.4:1.”
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Wang, R., Latunde-Dada, G. O., Bajka, B. H., & Sharp, P. (2026) · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · doi:10.1017/s0029665126102626
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Phytic Acid: Properties, Uses, Determination, Nutritional Effects and Impact in a Plant-Based Diet
Sandberg, A., Labba, I. M., & Scheers, N. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-40344-6.00248-9
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Rodrigo, A. E. H., Waters, S. F., Figueroa, L. S. V., Msemakweli, J. G., LaRuta-Rosas, N., Chamón, M. B., & Gilman, R. H. (2026) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2026.1835959
“Saponins are absent or unreported in Wolffia species and are present in L. minor at approximately 0.72% dry weight, with substantial reduction after cooking (36).”
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Govardhini, N., Morya, S., Awlqadr, F. H., Saeed, M. N., Weiskirchen, R., ALKaisy, Q. H., Altemimi, A. B., Sultan, M. T., & Raza, H. (2026) · Frontiers in Food Science and Technology · doi:10.3389/frfst.2026.1935548
Hasanvand, S., Ahangari, H., Hashami, Z., Salim, S. A., ov, N. S., Roshandel, Z., Ebrahimi, B., & Mohammadi, R. (2026) · Measurement Food · doi:10.1016/j.meafoo.2026.100325
Gralak, M. A., Hanna Leontowicz, A., Maria Leontowicz, A., Stryczek, A. B., Czerwinski, J., Gorinstein, S., Kurył, T., & Debski, B. (2007) · Żywienie Człowieka i Metabolizm
Metadata
- Authors
- Hurrell
- Affiliations
- ETH Zurich (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Hurrell
- Venue
- International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research
- Publisher
- IMR Press
- Published
- 2004-11-01
- Volume
- 74
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 445-452
- ISSN
- 0020-9406 (ISSN-L)
- 0300-9831
- 1664-2821
- OpenAlex
- W1992840109
- Cited by
- 315
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 16
- FWCI
- 8.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Phytase and its Applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Infant Nutrition and Health
- Keywords
- phytic acid, iron absorption, dephytinization, infant iron deficiency, complementary foods, soy-based infant formula, vitamin C, phytate degradation, cereal-legume mixtures, infant nutrition
- MeSH terms
- Absorption, Animals, Ascorbic Acid, Edible Grain, Food, Fortified, Humans, Infant, Iron, Milk, 6-Phytase, Phytic Acid, Infant Formula, Soy Foods
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