/fuy"tik, fit"ik/ , Chem.
a white to pale-yellow, water-soluble liquid, C 6 H 18 O 24 P 6 , found in cereal grains: used chiefly to chelate heavy metals during the manufacture of animal fats and vegetable oils and as a water-softening agent.
[ 1905-10; phyt ( in ) a salt of phytic acid ( Phytin phyt ( ón ) plant + G -in -IN 2 ) + -IC ]