Binding of cadmium and lead to the calcium-phytate complex in vitro

Low concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are unable to precipitate phytate, but in the presence of calcium (Ca) a precipitate is formed that binds both toxic metals. Almost complete binding of both metals has been observed at calcium-phytate ratios occurring in laboratory animal stock diets. Such binding may help to explain why the metals are less available to rats fed stock diets than to those fed phytate-free semisynthetic ones.