What Is Phytic Acid?

Phytic acid – inositol hexaphosphate, or IP6 – is the storage form of phosphorus in seeds and one of the strongest natural chelators known: its six phosphate groups grip metal ions tightly, which is the basis of every commercial use. In food it prevents oxidation and browning by sequestering iron and copper; in cosmetics it stabilizes formulas; and in the fast-growing energy sector it serves as a phosphorus-rich additive in battery applications. Sodium phytate is its water-soluble salt, supplied as a white powder.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Active content: Phytic Acid / Sodium Phytate (corn-derived)
• CAS number: 83-86-3 / 14306-25-3 (sodium salt)
• Appearance: Colorless to pale-yellow liquid / white powder
• Source: Corn-derived, circular-economy
• Function: Strong natural metal chelator
• Forms: Liquid acid + powder salt
• Packaging: 25 kg drum (custom formats available)
• Shelf life: 24 months in sealed, cool, dry storage

Origin & Sourcing

Recovered from corn-derived phytate as a co-product of our inositol platform – the same hydrolysis chain that produces inositol yields phytic acid, which is exactly the circular-economy logic behind the supply. The acid is supplied as a liquid, the sodium salt as a white crystalline powder, both food-grade with assay and heavy-metal control. Documentation covers food-grade status, MSDS and application-specific specifications.

Key Benefits

• One of the strongest natural chelators available
• Prevents oxidation and browning in food
• Stabilizes cosmetics and oral-care formulas
• Phosphorus-rich additive for battery applications
• Circular-economy co-product of inositol production
• Liquid acid and powder salt for every process

Applications

Food preservation and anti-browning, beverage stabilization, cosmetics and oral care, metal-surface treatment and the emerging sodium-ion battery sector. The same chelation chemistry spans the food industry and advanced materials, which is what makes the ingredient a strategic dual-market product. Beyond food and battery use, sodium phytate appears in oral-care formulations and metal-surface treatment baths, and the liquid acid doses into beverage and produce-wash processes. Technical and food grades share the same chemistry with different certification paths.

Why 2026 Matters

Two growth stories converge on phytate. Clean-label food preservation keeps pushing brands away from synthetic EDTA toward natural chelators, and the sodium-ion battery build-out is creating large-volume demand for phosphorus-rich materials. Producing phytic acid as a circular-economy co-product of the inositol chain means the supply can scale with demand in either market without new raw-material cost. Clean-label preservation is the near-term driver, as brands replace EDTA in sauces, beverages and fresh-cut produce. The battery sector is the long-term option: sodium-ion manufacturing is scaling, and phosphorus-rich additives are a documented chemistry need. Producing phytate as an inositol co-product means the supply can serve both markets with no new raw-material footprint – a circular-economy story buyers in both industries respond to.

Science Snapshot

IP6’s six phosphate groups chelate divalent and trivalent metals – especially iron and copper – with high stability constants, which stops the metal-catalyzed Fenton reactions behind oxidation, rancidity and enzymatic browning. In nutrition research, this same chelation is the basis of both its antioxidant reputation and its effect on mineral absorption at high intake. In batteries, phytate-derived phosphorus compounds are studied as electrolyte and flame-retardant additives for sodium-ion systems. The chelation chemistry is well characterized: IP6 forms stable complexes with iron, copper, calcium and zinc, with stability constants among the highest of any natural ligand. In food, this sequesters the metal catalysts behind lipid oxidation and enzymatic browning; in cosmetics, it stabilizes actives against trace-metal degradation. Battery research uses phytate’s six phosphate groups as a phosphorus-rich, flame-retardant additive in sodium-ion electrolytes – the same molecule, a new industry.

Quality & Specifications

• Actives: Phytic Acid / Sodium Phytate (corn-derived)
• Appearance: Liquid (acid) / white powder (sodium salt)
• Grades: Food grade, technical grade
• Packaging: 25 kg drums (custom formats available)
• Shelf life: 24 months in sealed, cool, dry storage
• Testing: Assay, heavy metals, arsenic, microbiology, ethylene oxide (EtO), aflatoxins, PAH, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)
• Compliance: Pesticide residue screened to EU MRLs (EC) 396/2005; Proposition 65 (Prop 65) statement and full contaminant documentation on request
• Note: Business-to-business ingredient information only. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Safety & Regulatory

Food-grade and recognized for food use as an additive. High dietary intakes of phytate can reduce mineral absorption, which is a formulation consideration rather than a safety issue at additive levels.

Formulation Notes

The liquid acid doses directly into beverages and marinades for anti-browning and metal control; the sodium salt dissolves in water for dry blends, cosmetics and industrial baths. In food, typical use levels are small fractions of a percent, and the clean-label story replaces EDTA. For battery and technical applications, we can align specifications to your process requirements.

How It Compares

• Phytic acid vs EDTA: both chelate metals, but phytic acid is plant-derived and clean-label while EDTA is synthetic – the core substitution story in food.
• Phytic acid vs citric acid: citric acid chelates weakly and acidifies; phytic acid binds iron and copper strongly at food-compatible pH.
• Acid vs sodium salt: the acid is the liquid form for direct dosing; the sodium salt is the water-soluble powder for dry systems.
• Food vs technical grade: matched chemistry, different certification paths – food grade for preservation and cosmetics, technical grade for industrial and battery use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where does your phytic acid come from?

Recovered from corn-derived phytate as part of our inositol circular-economy chain.

Can you provide a COA and third-party test report?

Yes. Every batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis, and third-party testing is available on request.

What is the MOQ and packaging?

Standard packaging is a 25kg drum. Please contact us for current MOQ and sample availability.

What forms do you supply?

Phytic acid as a liquid and sodium phytate as a white crystalline powder.

Is it food grade?

Yes. Food-grade documentation is available for preservation, beverage and cosmetic applications.

What battery applications use it?

Phytate-derived phosphorus compounds are used in electrolyte and flame-retardant additive research for sodium-ion systems.

How is the sodium salt supplied?

As a white, water-soluble powder in 25 kg drums, with custom packaging available.

How to Get Started

1. Tell us your format and target dose – capsules, powders, tablets, gummies or beverages.
2. We confirm the matching grade, send the specification sheet and a free sample.
3. Approve the sample and run a trial batch; we lock the COA and lead time.
4. Scale to full production with batch-to-batch consistency guaranteed.