Effect of phytate on the in‐vitro solubility of Al⁺, Ca²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ as a function of pH at 37°C

Abstract

Abstract The effect of phytate on the solubility of Al 3+ and Pb 2 + has been investigated in vitro at 37°C across the pH ranges 3–7 (Pb 2+ ) and 2–5 (Al 3+ ). For both ions minimum solubility was found when the initial metal ion: phytate ratio was in the range 5:1–3:1 across the whole pH range. For Al 3+ the solubility rose sharply either side of these ratios whereas for Pb 2 + solubility rose only slowly as the metal ion: phytate ratio was reduced. Hg 2+ was totally soluble under all conditions tested. At pH 7 Ca 2+ solubility was found to be at a minimum when the initial Ca : phytate ratio was 5 :1 irrespective of the initial Ca 2+ concentration.