Comparison of enhancement in bioaccessible iron and zinc in native and fortified high‐phytate oilseed and cereal composites by activating endogenous phytase

In developing countries, iron and zinc deficiencies are mostly attributable to poor bioavailability of iron and zinc. The study aimed at enhancing the bioaccessibility of minerals in high‐phytate oilseed and cereal flour mixes by activating the intrinsic phytase of wheat flour. The flour mixes were fortified with iron and zinc separately for comparison. The flour mixes were incubated at optimum conditions of temperature and pH for phytase activation. Phytase activation enhanced bioaccessible iron by 43–162% in native and 40–168% in fortified wheat–soya, 83–192% in native and 97–240% in fortified wheat–groundnut flour mixes in relation to control flour mixes. Bioaccessible zinc was enhanced by 87–183% in native and 30–113% in fortified wheat–soya, 31–65% in native and 61–186% in fortified wheat–groundnut flour mixes. Endogenous phytase activation was effective in enhancing bioaccessibility of iron and zinc in native and fortified flour composites economically.