The main objective of the study was to investigate the phytic acid contents of various cereals and legumes produced in Korea. The results showed that the phytic acid contents of buckwheat, foxtail millets, sorghum, millet, barley, jobs' tears, yellow corn and wheat flour (Urimil) were in a range of 0.13 to 2.27%. The contents of the phytic acid ranged from 1.03 to 1.16% for legumes including red Indian bean, black Indian bean, mung bean, and black soybean. The phytic acid content of brown rice was five times higher than those of 100% polished rice. The polishing process of the rice decreased significantly the content of the phytic acid. We estimate that the daily phytic acid intake from rice was changed from 653 mg/day in 1995 to 430 mg/day in 2005 based on the results of a national nutrition survey.

• Heok-Hwa Lee
• Yong-Soon Choi