Can Phytase Be Used in Human Nutrition?

December 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Over one-third of the global population relies predominantly on plant-based diets, which often contain high levels of phytic acid. This antinutrient can hinder the absorption of vital minerals, raising the question: can phytase be used in human nutrition to overcome this challenge? Research confirms that supplementing with or adding phytase to plant-based foods can significantly enhance the bioavailability of key minerals like iron and zinc.

Quick Summary

Phytase effectively degrades phytic acid in plant-based foods, unlocking minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium for better human absorption. It is safe for use in food processing and as a supplement, especially beneficial for vegetarian diets or populations reliant on staple grains. Further research is needed to establish optimal long-term dosage.

Key Points

Neutralizes Phytic Acid: Phytase is an enzyme that breaks down phytic acid, a natural compound in plant foods that blocks the absorption of essential minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium.
Enhances Mineral Bioavailability: By degrading phytic acid, phytase makes minerals more accessible and available for absorption in the human digestive system, improving overall nutritional intake.
Used in Food Processing: Commercially produced phytase is added during the manufacturing of foods like bread, cereals, and plant-based milks to increase their nutritional value before they reach the consumer.
Available as Supplements: Individuals can take phytase supplements with meals to help break down phytic acid from plant-based foods and boost mineral absorption on a meal-by-meal basis.
Considered Generally Safe: Major food safety authorities, including the EFSA, consider phytase safe for consumption in processed foods and supplements, though optimal long-term dosage is still under investigation.
Especially Important for Plant-Based Diets: Phytase is particularly beneficial for vegetarians, vegans, and populations relying heavily on grains and legumes, who are at higher risk for mineral deficiencies due to high phytic acid intake.
Aids in Broader Digestion: Beyond minerals, phytate can also interfere with protein digestion; phytase activity can therefore improve the overall digestibility of high-phytate foods.

The Problem with Phytic Acid in Plant-Based Diets

Phytic acid, or inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), is a compound primarily found in the bran and hulls of plant seeds, including grains, legumes, nuts, and oilseeds. It acts as the main storage form of phosphorus in these plants. For humans, especially those following vegetarian or plant-based diets, consuming large quantities of phytic acid can be problematic. This is because phytic acid is a potent chelating agent, meaning it binds to positively charged minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium in the digestive tract. The resulting insoluble complexes make these essential minerals unavailable for absorption, potentially leading to mineral deficiencies over time.

The Role of Phytase in Counteracting Phytic Acid

Phytase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of phytic acid, releasing the bound inorganic phosphate and associated minerals. Unlike ruminant animals, which produce sufficient phytase to process phytates, humans have minimal or no phytase activity in their digestive tract. This is where exogenous, or external, phytase comes in. Primarily sourced from microorganisms like Aspergillus niger via fermentation, commercial phytase can be used to improve nutrient bioavailability in human diets.

How Phytase Enhances Mineral Absorption

The application of phytase, whether through supplementation or food processing, directly addresses the issue of mineral chelation by phytic acid.

During food processing: Adding phytase during food production, such as bread-making or the preparation of infant cereals, can significantly reduce the phytic acid content before consumption. This pre-emptive breakdown prevents phytic acid from inhibiting mineral absorption in the first place.
Through supplementation: When taken with meals, particularly those rich in phytates, phytase supplements can break down phytic acid during digestion in the stomach and small intestine, releasing minerals for absorption. This is particularly relevant for individuals with high plant-based food intake.

Comparison of Phytase Application Methods


Feature	Food Processing Application	Supplementation	Household Preparation (Soaking/Fermentation)
Application Method	Enzyme added during manufacturing of foods like bread, cereals, or milk substitutes.	Ingested via capsules or powders alongside meals.	Soaking grains/legumes or using sourdough fermentation to activate intrinsic plant phytase.
Key Benefit	Reduces phytic acid before consumption; ensures consistent mineral bioavailability in fortified foods.	Allows for flexible dosing with individual meals, helpful for high-phytate meals.	Cost-effective and traditional method that uses natural enzymes.
Mineral Enhancement	Highly effective and consistent, backed by numerous clinical studies.	Effective, but depends on proper timing and sufficient dosage.	Varies significantly depending on temperature, time, pH, and grain type.
Control over Dosage	Controlled and standardized at the manufacturing level.	Under direct control of the individual user.	Inherently variable and less precise.
Consumer Acceptance	Increasingly accepted for improving nutritional value.	Growing, but some consumers may prefer whole food solutions.	Widely accepted and part of cultural food traditions.

Safety and Current Research Status

Phytase has been extensively studied, and its use in human food is generally considered safe. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated and approved the safety of 3-phytase from Aspergillus niger for use in food processing. In fact, major health organizations have acknowledged its utility in malnutrition programs.

However, research gaps remain, particularly concerning optimal long-term dosages and effects in different vulnerable populations, such as children in high-risk areas. While robust clinical trials demonstrate phytase's ability to significantly increase iron and zinc absorption, more data is needed on its effects for other minerals and its overall impact on long-term nutritional status.

Future Potential and Practical Applications

The potential for phytase extends beyond supplements and basic food additives. Innovations like microencapsulation are being explored to enhance the enzyme's stability during food processing, including heat-intensive methods. This ensures that more phytase activity survives to improve nutrient availability in the final product. The enzyme is also a valuable tool for manufacturers creating plant-based dairy substitutes, fortified cereals, and other products, addressing a significant nutritional challenge as plant-based diets grow in popularity.

Conclusion: A Beneficial Tool for Human Nutrition

In conclusion, phytase can be used in human nutrition to effectively combat the mineral-binding effects of phytic acid. The scientific evidence, including numerous human intervention trials, consistently shows that phytase supplementation or its use in food processing significantly improves the absorption of essential minerals like iron and zinc from plant-based foods. While generally recognized as safe by regulatory bodies like the EFSA, continued research is needed to define optimal long-term usage, particularly for vulnerable groups. As more individuals turn towards plant-forward diets, phytase represents a valuable and accessible tool for enhancing nutrient bioavailability and addressing potential mineral deficiencies.

Sources

Microbial Phytases: Properties and Applications in the Food Industry: The review discusses the potential of microbial phytases to enhance nutrient assimilation in plant-based food products, addressing the anti-nutritive effects of phytic acid.
Dietary Phytic Acid, Dephytinization, and Phytase Supplementation: A comprehensive review of human trials that demonstrates strong evidence for the effectiveness of phytase interventions in improving iron and zinc bioavailability.
Tolerase® P: Breakthrough solution for better mineral absorption: Highlights clinical evidence showing that phytase can significantly enhance the absorption of iron and zinc in fortified plant-based foods.
Phytase Activity In Human Nutrition: An article abstract exploring the use of phytase in human diets to increase mineral absorption and its potential health benefits beyond just phytate breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Phytase is an enzyme that breaks down phytic acid, an 'antinutrient' found in plant foods. Phytic acid binds to important minerals like iron and zinc, preventing their absorption. Phytase is important for human nutrition because it neutralizes phytic acid, thereby increasing the bioavailability of these minerals.

Yes, research indicates that phytase supplements can be effective. When taken with a meal containing phytate-rich foods, studies show significant increases in the absorption of minerals such as iron and zinc.

Yes, major regulatory bodies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have assessed the safety of phytase from microbial sources, like Aspergillus niger, and deemed it safe for use as a food additive.

While some plant foods like whole grains contain endogenous phytase, humans have minimal digestive phytase activity. Traditional food preparation methods like soaking and fermentation can increase phytase activity, but relying solely on dietary sources may not be sufficient for optimal mineral release.

Individuals on high-phytate diets, such as vegetarians and vegans, or populations in developing countries heavily reliant on staple grains like maize and millet, can benefit most from phytase to prevent mineral deficiencies.

No, phytase can also indirectly aid in overall digestion. By breaking down phytic acid, it can help prevent phytate from interfering with the enzymatic activity of proteins, thus improving the digestibility of high-phytate foods.

When consumed as part of food or at safe, recommended levels, phytase is considered likely safe. However, long-term studies, especially concerning high-dose supplementation, are still needed to determine all potential effects. It's recommended to consult a healthcare provider before using high-dose supplements.