A method is described that accurately and rapidly quantifies the free and t
otal phosphorous content of a commercially available, purified, phytic acid
preparation. This allows its use as a standard for phytic acid determinati
ons in foods. The method involves a wet ashing step followed by phosphorous
measurement with a 1-amino-2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid-molybdate reagent in
a microplate reader at 660 nm. The procedure can be performed in 3 h with
as little as 50 mg sample.