© 2026 Alchemist Worldwide Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Phytic acid, chemically known as inositol hexakisphosphate or IP6, shows up as a naturally occurring phosphorus compound, mainly found in plant seeds and grains. As a raw material, its chemical formula sits at C6H18O24P6 with a molecular weight around 660.04 g/mol. Often recognized as a storage form of phosphorus in many plants, it ends up in food like cereals, legumes, nuts, and even roots. Common products using phytic acid include dietary supplements, food preservatives, and cosmetic additives. Its HS Code for international trade is 29329990, which classifies it as an organic chemical. Over the years in industry, phytic acid gained importance for its ability to chelate metal ions, giving it a role in water treatment, metal cleaning, and stabilizing oils and fats.
The molecular structure of phytic acid features six phosphate groups bound to an inositol ring. This design allows it to bind tightly to minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, forming complexes that sometimes make nutrients less bioavailable in the human digestive tract. When handling raw materials, users encounter various forms including flakes, powder, pearls, liquid concentrates, solid chunks, and even crystalline samples. Color ranges from colorless to pale yellow, and it gives off no strong odor. The crystalline form tends to be the purest, often used in laboratory and pharmaceutical work. Flakes and powders are popular in bulk raw material applications, particularly in the cosmetics and food industry.
Phytic acid as a pure solid has a density near 1.2–1.4 g/cm³, while aqueous solutions show densities depending on concentration, usually about 1.1–1.3 g/mL at room temperature. The solid forms stay stable at standard conditions, dissolving well in water but stubbornly resisting dissolution in organic solvents. That strong affinity for water comes largely from its phosphate content, a characteristic often used to benefit water-based cleaning and chelation roles. Often stored in sealed drums or bags, flake and powdered forms need to stay dry before use. The liquid form, often supplied in concentrations between 35% and 50% in water, works best where fast dissolution or mixing into blends is important for processing. Cosmetic manufacturers rely on this liquid phytic acid solution because it distributes evenly and resists clumping.
A handful of industries depend on different features of phytic acid. Water treatment plants favor it for the way it binds heavy metals, reducing contamination in liquid waste streams. Agriculture and animal feed makers consider both the nutrient-binding capacity and the need to limit excess, since too much phytic acid in livestock feed lowers the availability of essential minerals. In materials science, the chelating power of phytic acid gets used for corrosion control and cleaning processes. As a natural antioxidant, it finds space on ingredient labels for cosmetics and skin care products, where its crystal-clear solution delivers both functionality and claims of gentleness. Pharmaceutical manufacturers often work with high-purity, crystalline phytic acid to ensure consistency in nutraceutical supplements.
Direct contact with concentrated phytic acid, especially in liquid and crystalline states, can cause skin and eye irritation. Proper gear means gloves and goggles when pouring, mixing, or sampling the product, especially in environments with risk of splashing. Breathing in dust from concentrated powder or pearl forms sometimes leads to coughing and discomfort, so masks or local exhaust come in handy. In the storage room, keeping lids sealed tight and avoiding humid conditions stops clumping and keeps purity high. Phytic acid does not act as an acute toxin but handles as a hazardous material if mishandled in large quantities. Spillages need neutralizing with dilute alkali and careful disposal by chemical waste protocols. For those in fast-moving industrial settings, that steady respect for safe storage, transportation, and measured use reduces health risks and production hiccups.
The search for reliable phytic acid mostly leads to bulk plant-sourced raw materials. Processing usually means extraction and purification from grains or legume seeds, which already carry high concentrations. Environmentally, the process follows a relatively benign path, often using water extraction rather than strong chemical solvents. Results offer a renewable ingredient at large industrial scales, with most phytic acid on the market coming from non-GMO, sustainable sources. This fits well in consumer markets where buyers lean toward traceable, plant-derived chemical ingredients. Many food manufacturers and processors take these cues seriously, seeking documentation and batch testing before accepting deliveries.
