Raman spectroscopy detection of phytic Acid in plant seeds reveals the absence of inorganic polyphosphate.

The fully phosphorylated myo-inositol ring, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) is commonly known as phytic acid. It is the most abundant form of organic phosphate in soil (Raboy, 2003). Phytic acid is able to regulate a broad range of intracellular processes, controlling many aspects of cell physiology both directly or as its derivative inositol pyrophosphates (Wilson et al., 2013). One such process is phosphate homeostasis, as IP6 regulates the level of inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), a linear polymer of phosphate groups that buffers cellular phosphate by regulation of its synthesis/degradation (Saiardi, 2012).