Phytic acid (PA), also known as myoinositol hexaphosphate, is found mainly in cereal grains. Corn germ has high concentrations of PA - from 6.0 to 7.0% on a dry weight basis. Due to its chelating properties on di- and trivalent metals, PA has antioxidant attributes, effectively inhibiting oxidation reactions. In this study, PA levels were determined in the germ and endosperm of eleven corn hybrids cultivated in Paraná State (Brazil), and also in several industrialized corn products. Corn hybrid germs were characterized as corn components with high PA levels, whereas endosperms featured low levels of PA. Cornbased industrialized products, derived mostly from corn endosperm (such as canjica, creamed corn, corn flour and cornmeal) featured the lowest PA values. Conversely, defatted corn germs and corn cuticle showed the highest PA levels.
phytic acid; corn hybrid; corn germ; industrialized corn products