Calcium phytate is a chemical compound found in plants. It has the chemical formula Ca5(IP6)5, and its molecular weight is 660.04 g/mol. The spelling of the word "Calcium Phytate" is represented by the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as 'kælsiəm faɪteɪt'. The IPA phonetic transcription system is a standardized system used to represent speech sounds in most of the world's languages. The pronunciation of the word is important to ensure accurate communication in scientific or medical fields where the compound is commonly used.
Calcium Phytate is a compound that belongs to the group of organic compounds called phytates. It is a salt derived from the combination of calcium and phytic acid. Phytic acid, also known as inositol hexaphosphate, is a naturally occurring substance found in many plant-based foods, particularly in seeds and grains.
Calcium Phytate is commonly used as a food additive and nutritional supplement due to its ability to bind and chelate various minerals, particularly calcium. As a calcium salt, it provides a supplemental source of calcium, which is an essential mineral for supporting healthy bones and teeth, muscle function, nerve transmission, and many other vital physiological processes in the body.
One of the main functions of Calcium Phytate is its role as a chelating agent for minerals. It has an affinity for binding with minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium, forming complex compounds that reduce the bioavailability of these minerals. This can be both beneficial and detrimental, as it can prevent excessive mineral absorption, which may be undesirable in certain circumstances, but it can also limit the availability of these essential minerals for absorption by the body.
Overall, Calcium Phytate is a compound that combines calcium with phytic acid and is used as a food additive and nutritional supplement. It plays a role in mineral binding and chelation, primarily affecting the availability and absorption of minerals in the body.
The word "calcium phytate" can be broken down into two parts: "calcium" and "phytate".
1. Calcium: The term "calcium" comes from the Latin word "calx" meaning "lime" or "limestone". It was initially coined by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1808. The word "calcium" is used to refer to the chemical element with the atomic number 20, known for its importance in various biological processes and its presence in many minerals.
2. Phytate: The term "phytate" originates from the Greek word "phyton" meaning "plant". It refers to a salt or ester of phytic acid. Phytic acid, also known as inositol hexakisphosphate, is a natural compound found mainly in plant-based foods like legumes, grains, and oilseeds.