Independent and mutual interactions of copper(II) and zinc(II) ions with phytic acid

The interactions of phytic acid with Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions were examined as functions of metal ion concentrations and pH. Cu(II) ion-selective potentiometric and electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments provide strong evidence for the binding of Cu(II) ions to the phytic acid molecule at low pH (2.4–3.4) values. The relative stabilities of the copper and zinc phytates at low pH values were found to be very similar. For systems with metal ion:phytic acid molar ratios of 1:1–4:1 and 5:1–6:1 and pH values in the 3.4–5.9 and 3.4–5.0 ranges, respectively, Zn(II) ions were found to form complexes with phytic acid that were more stable than those of Cu(II) ions with phytic acid. The phytic acid molecule, however, was found to accommodate Cu(II) ions more readily than Zn(II) ions. For example, in systems containing equal amounts of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions, 2 Zn(II) ions and 2, 3, 4, or 4.5 Cu(II) ions were found per phytic acid molecule depending upon metal ion:phytic acid molar ratios in the systems and pH. Total metal ion:phytic acid molar ratios and pH affected resultant metal ion solubilities and were factors influencing the effects of Zn(II) and Cu(II) ions on the binding of each other by phytic acid. Zn(II) and Cu(II) ions were observed to potentiate the binding of each other by phytic acid in some systems and compete with each other for phytate binding sites in others.