Phytic acid (Myo inositol 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, hexa kis phosphate) is common in plant seeds and is a principal phosphorous source. Due to presence 6 phosphates groups in it forms chelate complexes with Di valent cations like Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mg2+ etc. Since monogastric animals like fishes are not having Phytase activity in their gastro intestinal tract, they can not utilize the phosphorous present in the form of phytic acid and it excreted out undigested.

Accumulation of phytic acid and its chelates in the ponds causes the eutrophication. Feed pre treatment methods like dry/wet heating, and solvent extraction to remove anti nutrients have been used successfully but these sometimes shows adverse effects on nutritional quality of the feed