phytic acid

[ fahy-tik, fit-ik ]
/ ˈfaɪ tɪk, ˈfɪt ɪk /

noun Chemistry.

a white to pale-yellow, water-soluble liquid, C6H18O24P6, found in cereal grains: used chiefly to chelate heavy metals during the manufacture of animal fats and vegetable oils and as a water-softening agent.

Origin of phytic acid

1905–10; phyt(in) a salt of phytic acid (< German Phytin < Greek phyt(ón) plant + German -in -in2) + -ic