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The microbiology of phytic acid metabolism by gut bacteria and relevance for bowel cancer
Author(s) -
Steer Toni E.,
Gibson Glenn R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international journal of food science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.831
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1365-2621
pISSN - 0950-5423
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2621.2002.00616.x
Subject(s) - phytic acid , gut microflora , microbial metabolism , bacteria , colorectal cancer , carcinogen , metabolism , lactic acid , biology , colonic cancer , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , cancer , chemistry , genetics
Summary Colon cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Compounds present in plant foods have anti‐carcinogenic properties that may be metabolised by colonic bacteria thus decreasing or preventing any such beneficial effects. Phytic acid is found mostly in legumes and appears to possess anti‐carcinogenic properties. This may be due to a number of factors including the recognised ‘binding’ properties of phytate. For this to occur successfully it is important that the integrity of phytic acid is preserved in the colon, which is a profuse microbial ecosystem. However, there are few data on the microbial species involved in its metabolism. Studies that define the populations involved may lead towards the use of dietary intervention procedures that can reduce the activities of the microflora involved in phytate degradation, thereby preserving its purported anti‐tumour properties.