phytin Biol. and Med.
(ˈfaɪtɪn)
[a. G. phytin (S. Posternak 1904, in Schweiz. Wochenschr. f. Chem. u. Pharm. XLII. 405): see phyt- and -in1.]
a. An insoluble salt of phytic acid with calcium and magnesium, which is found in plants, esp. cereals; also, loosely, the acid itself. b. Also Phytin, † -ine. A proprietary name for tonic preparations containing this.
| 1905 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 14 Jan. 81/1 Phytin has hitherto been simply described as a compound prepared from various seeds which contain phosphorus in combination... Phytin is claimed to be of use in all cases where invigorating treatment is indicated and to possess a specific action against impotence. 1905 Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 28 Feb. 2375/2 Certain named pharmaceutical products. Society of Chemical Industry in Basle, Basle, Switzerland. Filed Nov. 29, 1904. Phytine...used since February, 1903. 1906 Amer. Jrnl. Physiol. XVII. 76 Commercial phytin has lately been introduced into medical practice with somewhat extravagant claims. 1934 Brit. Pharmaceutical Codex 1656 Phytin, calcium and magnesium salt of inositol hexaphosphoric acid. 1936 [see inositol]. 1938 E. C. Miller Plant Physiol. (ed. 2) viii. 545 When chlorophyll is treated with dilute acids, the magnesium is removed and replaced with two hydrogen ions without otherwise changing the molecule. A series of decomposition products result [sic] which are called ‘phytins’ and which correspond to the alkali decomposition products of chlorophyll, except that the magnesium is lacking. 1947 Dispensatory U.S.A. (ed. 24) 1489/1 The calcium-magnesium salt of inositol hexaphosphate is available under the name Phytin (Ciba) in tablets containing 0·25 gm. 1957 G. E. Hutchinson Treat. Limnol. I. xii. 735 Chu (1946) found that Nitzschia palea could use phytin (magnesium inositol hexaphosphate) and glycerophosphoric acid as phosphorus sources. 1969 N. W. Pirie Food Resources vii. 164 The old-fashioned method of making porridge..destroys phytin which would otherwise make the calcium in the food less easy to absorb. |