Seed Science Research

Table of Contents - 1994 - Volume 4, Issue 02  

Research Papers

Leakage of phosphorus and phytic acid from imbibing seeds and grains

M. Marcia Westa1, Irene Ockendena1 and John N. A. Lotta1 c1

a1 Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada

Abstract

Inorganic P, total P and phytic acid-P leakage from imbibing whole soybean, bean, and pea seeds, as well as whole maize and barley grains were measured. The amounts of P and phytic acid leaked during a 6-h soaking period varied for the five species. Soybeans leaked the most P and phytic acid of the species examined. Peas, beans and barley leaked little or no phytic acid. Based on reported levels of total P and phytic acid in the dry seeds/grains that were studied, total P leakage ranged from 0.5 to 1.2%, while phytic acid leakage ranged from 0.01 to 0.5%. No relationship was found between initial levels of total P or phytic acid in the dry seeds/grains and the amount of total P or phytic acid leaked by the imbibed seed/grain. Similarly, the amounts of phytic acid leaked by the seeds/grains of this study did not appear to be related to the water solubility of the phytic acid in the dry seeds/grains.

(Received October 15 1993)

(Accepted January 10 1994)

Keywords

  • Grains;
  • imbibition;
  • inorganic P;
  • leakage;
  • phytic acid;
  • seeds;
  • total P

Correspondence:

c1 Correspondence

0Comments